With the first Spring Training games set to take part next Saturday, one notable face will be missing from the New York Yankees. And that’s suspended pitcher, Domingo German.
German Asked to Stay in the Dominican Republic
In a piece from Brendan Kuty for NJ.com, Aaron Boone was asked about Domingo German:
“I went over there a few weeks ago with a few of our staff members and got to see a few of the guys, and Domingo is one of the guys who came to the complex. I got to see him for the first time since all of this has gone down, and talk to him. The plan is for him not to be here for spring training, as of now. That could change, but right now we’re not planning on him being here.â€
I think this is, personally, an intelligent decision by the Yankees. Yes, German hasn’t been convicted of a crime. But the specter of domestic abuse still lingers over German in the court of public opinion. Keeping him at a Yankee facility in the Dominican, where he can get his work in that he’d get in Tampa under surveillance from New York Yankees officials, it’s strictly damage control for the team as they make sure everyone gets on the same page before Opening Day.
When asked about if German would be a distraction in the clubhouse when he comes back, Boone said this:
“Not worried about the distraction part. I think as an organization, we kind of decided for him it’s best for him to be there right now.â€
German will be serving the final 63 games of an 81 game suspension when the season begins at the end of March. With a few tune-up games, German should be back on the Yankees late June or early July.