Thursday night former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo spoke to reporters for the first time since being traded to the New York Yankees, and during his remarks he took a swipe at his former manager Alex Cora.

“I’m very, very excited to work with Aaron (Boone),” Verdugo said, referring to his new manager with the Yankees. “I’ve seen the way he has his players’ backs. The one that really gets out to me is he’s like ‘these guys are savages and he’s yelling at the umpire.’ That’s something I want to see out of my head coach, I want to see some fire and fight of the guys, and instead of airing people out have their backs.”

Those comments didn’t go over well with many in Boston, striking a nerve with one former Red Sox great in particular.

Jonathan Papelbon, who won a World Series championship in Boston and now serves as a commentator on NESN, took aim at Verdugo in a profanity-laced Tweet on Friday afternoon, calling the ex-Red Sox outfielder a “bitch” while accusing him of being lazy and a poor teammate.

Verdugo I mean Vertigo is a Bitch. Cora has his players and teammates backs more than anyone in the game. You aired yourself out by being late, lazy and unproductive. If I played for Cora I’m drilling this bitch, just saying. https://t.co/ucNzJoXdw1

— Jonathan Papelbon (@TheRealJPap58) December 22, 2023

“Verdugo I mean Vertigo is a Bitch,” Papelbon wrote. “Cora has his players and teammates backs more than anyone in the game. You aired yourself out by being late, lazy and unproductive. If I played for Cora I’m drilling this bitch, just saying.”

Verdugo’s original comments were likely in reference to the way Cora handled several incidents that occurred during his time in Boston. At the end of the 2022 season Cora singled Verdugo out as a player he wanted to see improvement from the following year, and this past year he was twice benched for poor effort, first for failing to run out a ground ball and later for reporting late to the ballpark before a game.

Ex-Red Sox OF Alex Verdugo takes jab at Alex Cora in first remarks since trade

Following the trade Cora described his time managing Verdugo as a learning experience and acknowledged he often challenged the outfielder, but despite their bumps in the road he wished the Gold Glove finalist well in New York.

That Verdugo’s quotes drew condemnation in Boston isn’t surprising, but Papelbon’s unfiltered response is notable given his prominent place within the organization.

Earlier this week Papelbon was announced as one of the newest members of the Red Sox Hall of Fame, and he’ll be honored at Fenway Park alongside fellow inductees Trot Nixon, Dustin Pedroia and longtime executive Elaine Steward on May 29. He’s also appeared on NESN’s pre- and post-game shows since 2021, and during his tenure he’s demonstrated a willingness to say exactly what’s on his mind.

Verdugo’s first meeting back with the Red Sox as a member of the Yankees will come March 13 during spring training, and their first regular season encounter will be at Fenway Park the weekend of June 14-16. It will be interesting to hear what Verdugo has to say about Cora, Papelbon or the Red Sox in general at that point.