Yankees' Domingo German suspended 81 games under MLB's domestic violence policy
Domingo German of the Yankees stands on the mound during the first inning against the Rays in the first game of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on July 18, 2019. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Yankees righthander Domingo German was suspended for 81 games, retroactive to Sept. 19, under Major League Baseball’s joint domestic violence policy Thursday, the result of an alleged altercation with his girlfriend last year, the league announced.
German, 27, will miss the Yankees' next 63 games. He already has missed 18 games (nine regular season, nine postseason) after being placed on administrative leave on Sept. 19.
German reportedly slapped his girlfriend, also the mother of his child, during or after a charity event held by then-teammate CC Sabathia on Sept. 16 or early Sept. 17. There were no formal charges or arrest, though a number of reports said the incident was witnessed by a third party.
The punishment, the fourth-longest regular-season suspension for a violation of the domestic violence policy agreed upon by MLB and the players association, will mean German will not return until at least the first week of June.
German, who was 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 143 innings last season, will not appeal the suspension, MLB said.
“My office has completed its investigation into the allegations that Domingo German violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Having reviewed all the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. German violated our Policy and that discipline is appropriate."
German will make a donation to Sanctuary for Families, a New York-based non-profit that looks to help the victims of domestic violence, and will participate in an evaluation and treatment program.
The only players to serve longer regular-season domestic-violence suspensions were the Padres' Jose Torres, who missed 100 games; the Phillies' Odubel Herrera, who in July was suspended for the rest of the season retroactive to June 24, a span of 85 games, and the Braves’ Hector Oliveras, who missed 82 games. German’s teammate, Aroldis Chapman, served a 30-game suspension for an incident involving a gun in 2016.
“We remain steadfast in our support of Major League Baseball’s investigative process and the disciplinary action taken regarding Domingo German,” the Yankees said in a statement. “Domestic violence — in any form — is a gravely serious matter that affects every segment of our society. Major League Baseball has taken the lead in our industry to make domestic violence awareness and prevention a priority, and we will continue to back those efforts. We are encouraged by Domingo’s acceptance of his discipline, and we sincerely hope this indicates a commitment to making a meaningful and positive change in his personal conduct.”
The Yankees will have plenty of options in German’s absence. They signed Gerrit Cole to lead their rotation, which also includes Luis Severino, James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka, and have the option of going with J.A. Happ — the subject of trade rumors this offseason — or Jordan Montgomery as a fifth starter.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
