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New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo Germán “agreed today to voluntarily submit to inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse” and will be placed on the restricted list while away from the club, according to a statement the team issued Wednesday. Germán will not pitch for the Yankees again this season, general manager Brian Cashman told reporters ahead of New York’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
“It is critical that Domingo focus completely on addressing his health and well-being. We will respect his privacy as he begins this process,” the Yankees’ statement said.
“Domingo Germán is certainly a member of the Yankee family, and he’s dealing with a very serious problem,” Cashman said. “I think we will keep him in our prayers as he takes very important but necessary steps in trying to deal with this problem.”
Germán, 30, has appeared in 20 games this season and started 19. He pitched a perfect game in an 11-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on June 28, striking out nine batters while throwing 99 pitches. It was the 24th perfect game in MLB history and the first since the Seattle Mariners’ Félix Hernández accomplished the feat in 2012.
Through 108 2/3 innings this season, Germán posted a 4.56 ERA and 114 strikeouts.
Who will step up in German’s place?
With Germán out for the season, the most obvious candidate to take his place in the rotation is Nestor Cortes, who has been out for the past two months with a shoulder injury. Cortes is expected back this weekend and can pitch as early as Saturday. He’ll be at about a 60-pitch count because he’s heading into his final rehab assignment start.
One problem the Yankees face now with Germán’s absence is that Luis Severino is still in the rotation. Severino seemed like the obvious candidate to be replaced in the rotation due to his struggles, but he is now likely safe. In fact, Severino is scheduled to play Friday against the Houston Astros.
Starting pitching depth has now become a major concern for New York in the final two months of the season. — Kirschner
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(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)
