On August 2, 2023, New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German made the decision to enter treatment for alcohol abuse, leading him to step away from the team for the remainder of the season. This comes just 35 days after his historic achievement of pitching the 24th perfect game in MLB history, joining an elite group of Yankees pitchers.
German, a 31-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, had a challenging season, starting 19 games and making one appearance as a relief pitcher. He recorded a 5-7 record with a 4.56 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, striking out 114 batters and walking 34 in 108.2 innings.
The Yankees have been supportive of German’s decision, placing him on the restricted list during his treatment and respecting his privacy. General manager Brian Cashman emphasized the seriousness of the issue and the hope that the treatment will provide German with the tools to overcome his struggles.
This is not the first time a Yankees player has sought treatment during the season, as left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia did the same in 2015 for alcohol abuse and successfully returned to the game.
Season Over for Yankees Pitcher
Domingo German’s season has come to an end as the New York Yankees have placed him on the restricted list to undergo treatment. He will miss the remaining games of the season.
The Yankees released an official statement, emphasizing the importance of Domingo’s complete focus on addressing his health and well-being. They also expressed their commitment to respecting his privacy during this process.
General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, recognizing its widespread impact. He expressed hope that the steps taken now will have a lasting positive effect on Domingo’s life. Cashman emphasized the significance of these treatment programs in equipping him with the necessary tools to overcome this serious problem.
With German on the restricted list, left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes will take his spot in the rotation. The Yankees currently find themselves in last place in the American League East with a record of 56-52, trailing the first-place Baltimore Orioles by 10 games. However, they are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot, sitting 3.5 games back with 54 games remaining.
As of now, the Wild Card spots in the American League are held by the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays. The defending champions, the Astros, bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring Justin Verlander in a trade with the New York Mets. On the other hand, the Blue Jays sought to enhance their postseason prospects by adding the fireball-throwing Jordan Hicks to their bullpen.
Despite their challenges, the Yankees did not make any significant moves at the trade deadline. FanGraphs estimates their chances of making the playoffs at 20.6% with a 1.0% chance of winning the World Series. As a result, their odds of winning the World Series and the AL pennant have dropped to +5000 and +2500, respectively, according to DraftKings.