Posted on: August 2, 2023, 10:51h.
Last updated on: August 2, 2023, 10:51h.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German stepped away from the team to enter treatment for alcohol abuse.
Just 35 days ago, German etched his name in the history books when he pitched the 24th perfect game in MLB history. German also became only the fourth Yankees pitcher to achieve perfection joining Don Larson, David Cone, and David Wells.
The right-handed German turns 31-years old on Friday. He started 19 games and made one appearance this season as a relief pitcher. He posted a 5-7 record with a 4.56 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. In 108.2 innings, he struck out 114 batters and walked 34.
German, who is originally from the Dominican Republic, played his entire career with the Yankees. In 112 games, he has a 31-28 career record with a 4.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 543 strikeouts.
It’s been a tumultuous season for German. In May, the MLB suspended German for ten games for using an illegal substance. Umpires ejected German during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays when they determined his hands contained a sticky substance. German claimed it was sweat and rosin, but the home plate umpire disagreed and booted him from the game.
Season Over for German
The Yankees placed German on the restricted list during his treatment. He will miss the remainder of the season.
It is critical that Domingo completely focuses on addressing his health and well-being,” the Yankees said in an official statement. “We will respect his privacy as he begins this process.”
“Certainly it’s a very serious issue that affects way too many people, unfortunately, and hopefully the steps that are being taken today will really benefit him for the remaining part of his life because it’s a very serious problem that you need to address head on and these treatment places are significant steps hopefully to helping him get the tools to solve it,” said general manager Brian Cashman.
This is not the first time a member of the Yankees entered rehab during the season. Left-handed starting pitcher CC Sabathia entered rehab in September 2015 and sought treatment for alcohol abuse. After getting sober, Sabathia would pitch four more seasons with the Yankees before retiring in 2019.
Left-handed Nestor Cortes will take German’s spot in the rotation. Cortes missed the last two months with a shoulder injury.
Yankees in the AL East Cellar
The Yankees are 56-52, but occupy last place in the American League East. They are 10 games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees are one of four teams on the AL Wild Card bubble. They are 3.5 games back in the Wild Card with 54 games remaining.
The Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays currently hold down Wild Card spots. The defending champion Astros upgraded their starting rotation by acquiring Justin Verlander in a trade with the New York Mets. The Blue Jays wanted to improve their postseason chances by adding fireball-throwing Jordan Hicks to their bullpen.
The Yankees stood pat at the trade deadline, and did not make any bold moves. They were unable to make a run at MVP-favorite Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels when they decided to not trade the MLB’s home run leader.
FanGraphs estimated the Yankees have a 20.6% chance to advance to the playoffs, with a 1.0% chance to win the World Series.
The Yankees, who entered the season as a popular pick to win the 2023 World Series, continue to see their futures plummet at DraftKings. The Yankees are now +5000 odds to win the World Series, and +2500 odds to win the AL pennant.
