Yankees about to get back another important piece for the stretch run

New York Yankees, Domingo German
Feb 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German (55) throws during spring training workouts at Yankees Players Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees have already activated pitcher Luis Severino, who hasn’t pitched since the 2019 playoffs. He hasn’t pitched yet, but he will be a member of the bullpen for the stretch run. As it turns out, he won’t be the only hurler coming back from injury this week.

Before last night’s game against the Texas Rangers, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone confirmed that the team is about to activate fellow Dominican right-hander Domingo German, who has been out since August 1 with right shoulder inflammation.

Per Boone, by Tuesday or Wednesday, German is expected to be activated from the injured list, providing another option for the decimated pitching corps.

“Domingo could be activated in the next day or two potentially,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday. “He threw (two innings) in his (Triple-A rehab) game Saturday, so that might make him eligible (Tuesday). We’ll see.”

Getting ready to return to the Yankees

That rehab appearance Boone is referring to went well, as German pitched at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, allowing only one run on two hits and two bases on balls over two innings.

It’s unclear if German will function as a starter, as a traditional bullpen arm, or as a multi-inning weapon. The fact is that his presence will be a welcome sight for a team that lost Darren O’Day and Zack Britton for the season and is currently without Jonathan Loaisiga, their relief ace, with a rotator cuff injury.

For the season, the Yankees’ right-hander has a 4.45 ERA in 18 starts and 97 innings. He has fanned 95 hitters and maintains a very good 1.16 WHIP. His command is not always on point and he is prone to allowing hard contact, but he is a solid pitcher who can be of use for what will come.

He could be an ideal multi-inning weapon because he would be able to air his upper-90s fastball out and throw his excellent secondaries without having to worry about facing the opposing lineup two or three times.

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