The New York Yankees confirmed via general manager Brian Cashman that Domingo German would return to the 2021 Yankees’ pitching rotation. Cashman made the announcement last night confirming that German will be there on opening day. This was apparently approved by owner Hal Steinbrenner that said just a few months ago that German would have to prove he was a changed man after his domestic violence suspension. I don’t know what he has done to prove that, but it may have more to do with the Yankee’s need for pitching.
Domingo German will likely be the number two starter behind ace Gerrit Cole at least as the season starts and until Luis Severino returns later in the season. The Yankees so far have not been about to sign a number two type starter, or are not willing to spend for one, which may have led to the decision to take German back, and apparently with open arms as Cashman has stated, “we will count on him.”
German is presently playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic for the Toros del Este. He has started four games so far with a 0-1 record and an ERA of 5.17 across 15.2 innings. This is not surprising after not pitching for over a year. However, in videos, he looks pretty sharp with more than a strikeout per inning. The Yankees hope he will be up to speed at the beginning of the season.
- Domingo German, even in a shortened 2019 season, was the New York Yankees’ winningest pitcher; he went 18-4, far exceeding the record of any other Yankee pitcher.
- His 2019 wins almost eclipsed the performance of Gerrit Cole; unfortunately, he didn’t get to test his skills in the postseason, where the Yankees lost to the Astros.
- Domingo German, when he returns, the Yankees have control over a Bauer-like pitcher through the end of the 2024 season, perhaps harnessing him in the prime of his career. Going into free agency in 2025, he will be 32 years old.
- After not pitching in a professional game for 19 months, he is now pitching in the Dominican Winter League. In his first game, he pitched three scoreless innings. In his second start on Tuesday against Leones del Escogido, German conceded just one run and three hits over five innings in a no-decision for Toros in a 3-2 win at Juan Marichal Stadium in Santo Domingo, D.R.
- Domingo German and Luis Severino will be under an innings watch after not pitching for so long. Both German and Severino will miss starts to accomplish that, giving some of the new boys much needed playing time.
- German will earn in 2021 just $575k, quite a bargain for a number two pitcher.
The decision to bring back Domingo German says loud and clear to me that the New York Yankees, although still looking for another starting arm, that they probably won’t sign anyone of importance or high cost. Cashman in the Hot Stove interview said as much when he said he was satisfied with the rotation they have now.