It has been a season of extreme highs and lows for Yankees starter Domingo German — one that came to an abrupt end on Wednesday.
The Yankees announced that German "has agreed to voluntarily submit to inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse" and will be placed on the restricted list.
He won't return this season, per general manager Brian Cashman.
Statement from the New York Yankees: pic.twitter.com/kZhJETdr7x
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 2, 2023
"It is critical that Domingo completely focuses on addressing his health and wellbeing," the team said in a statement.
Cashman spoke with reporters about the decision, revealing that an "incident" took place on Tuesday and expressing his concern for German and his family.
Brian Cashman said that alcohol abuse is something Domingo Germán has had to deal with in the past. There was an incident that took place yesterday. Cashman said he would not provide details. “I’m worried right now for the person and the immediate family.”
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 2, 2023
German's decision to enter a rehab facility is something the Yankees have dealt with before, as CC Sabathia cut his 2015 season short to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Sabathia's decision was a very public one, as it came one day before the Yankees were set to play in the American League Wild Card Game game. But he credits it with changing his life and has been sober ever since.
German has seen it all amid a tumultuous season for the Yankees, who sit outside the postseason picture. He pitched just the 24th perfect game in MLB history on June 29, days after allowing 10 runs in a start against the Mariners. German also served a 10-game foreign substance suspension and has allowed more than five earned runs in five different starts this season.
German was also involved in a bizarre moment on Monday when the Yankees scratched him from a start due to armpit soreness early in the day. The team called up Jhony Brito to take his place but, after Brito allowed four home runs, German was considered healthy enough to enter the game out of the bullpen. He tossed five scoreless innings.
Aaron Boone later said he was cleared after meeting with doctors less than two hours before the game.
Pitching won't be the focus for German anytime soon, as the right-hander looks to overcome alcohol abuse before returning to the mound in 2024.
Domingo German alcohol incident, explained
SNY's Andy Martino reported Thursday that German "grew belligerent while in the clubhouse" before Tuesday's game, though it was not a domestic incident and there is no indication an altercation took place.
Martino adds that witnesses in the clubhouse "determined that German was under the influence of alcohol and did not appear in control of his emotions."
The report also states that the Yankees scratching German from Monday's start with armpit soreness was not related to alcohol abuse.
Details remain vague about what exactly happened on Tuesday, but Cashman told reporters Wednesday that he didn't find out about it until after the trade deadline passed.
