Alex Verdugo plays peacemaker as the Yankees and Royals clear the benches

Alex Verdugo may not have performed up to standard in the 2024 season with the New York Yankees, despite finding himself in the thick of things in Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday night.

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Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia slid hard into Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, who also made contact with Garcia. The players made it before New York infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. had a verbal conflict with Garcia that resulted in the benches being cleared at Kauffman Stadium.

Verdugo trotted in from left field and waved his arms to try to settle the dispute before a lackluster congregation simmered in the infield to allow play to resume. The Yankees won the game 3-1 and secured the series victory for their fourth appearance in the American League Championship Series since 2017.

Verdugo last played with the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS in 2021 before losing to the Houston Astros in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park. He hit .263 in that series after eliminating the Yankees in the Wild Card game with three runs batted in. Boston also defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in four games in the 2021 ALDS.

The Yankees host the winner of the other AL series between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians for Game 1 on Monday night at 7:37 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium.