New York Yankees Lose Starting Pitcher for Rest of Season
A rollercoaster season for Domingo Germán has ended in murky fashion.
The right-handed starting pitcher was placed on the restricted list to receive treatment for alcohol abuse. He will not pitch again this season.
According to general manager Brian Cashman, there was an incident that took place on Tuesday, but he declined to provide details out of respect for Germán.
“I’m worried right now for the person and the immediate family,” Cashman said to the media.
The Yankees organization is familiar with the effects of alcohol abuse, as team legends Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin were both plagued by the disease off the field. More recently, Yankee fan favorite CC Sabathia checked himself into an alcohol treatment facility before the 2015 postseason; in March 2016, Sabathia released an essay from The Players’ Tribune about his battle with alcohol abuse.
Whatever the incident was, it resulted in an abrupt and confusing end to an equally confusing season for the 30-year old Germán.
It was a very Jekyll and Hyde season, with gems and duds scattered throughout. Germán finished the year with a 5-7 record, a 4.56 ERA in 108 ⅔ innings, 114 strikeouts, and a 1.08 WHIP.
Nothing was more evident of this heads-and-tails season than his three starts from June 16-28. On June 16 and June 22 against the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners, respectively, Germán allowed 17 combined runs in just 5 ⅓ combined innings. He followed up those duds by immortalizing himself in baseball history against the Oakland Athletics on June 28, pitching the 24th perfect game in MLB history.
After struggling in his starts on July 18 and July 25, Germán was unexpectedly scratched from his start on Monday with alleged armpit discomfort. Jhony Brito would make a spot start, only for Germán to enter in relief in the fifth inning and toss five scoreless frames.
Just two days later, Germán was placed on the restricted list, ending his season.
It is likely that Nestor Cortes Jr., who is expected to return from the Injured List this weekend, will replace Germán in the rotation for the rest of the year.
