- Germán has drawn interest from six teams, including two of the Yankees’ rivals
- He had a perfect game in 2023, but also entered inpatient treatment for alcohol
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Free agent pitcher and former New York Yankees starter Domingo Germán is eyeing a return to Major League Baseball after completing an inpatient program for alcohol abuse in 2023.
Germán has drawn interest from six teams, including two of the Yankees’ AL East rivals – the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles – according to the New York Post.
The native Dominican had a newsworthy 2023 season for good and bad reasons.
First he was ejected after being caught with a sticky substance on his hand in May. Then he tossed a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics in June, only to surrender 17 combined runs over his next two stars.
And finally there was a clubhouse incident on August 3, in which he reportedly confronted teammates, flipped over a couch and smashed a television, according to The Wall Street Journal. He was then placed on leave to seek help for alcohol abuse.
Germán is eyeing a return to MLB after completing an inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse
German was accused of going on a clubhouse tirade and smashing a TV, according to The Wall Street Journal
The alleged August 3 outburst came four years after Germán was suspended 81 games over accusations of domestic abuse against his then-girlfriend, whom he has since married.
One source tells the Post that Germán has completed an inpatient program and continues to voluntarily meet with professionals to ensure he remains on the right track.
Germán’s off-field issues appear to be a major reason why the 31-year-old remains a free agent.
Although his ERA jumped from a solid 3.61 in 2022 to a disappointing 4.56 last season, he did drop his WHIP (walks and hits allowed per inning) to a career-best 1.077. He also struck out 114 batters – the most since his third MLB season, when he had 153.
The Yankees have added former All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman this offseason and hope to get Carlos Rodón back from his injury-plagued first season in the Bronx.
Germán is not the only pitcher with a troubled past currently on the free-agent market. Ex-Dodgers hurler Trevor Bauer was accused of sexual assault, but never charged with a crime, while his former LA teammate Julio Urías has faced multiple domestic violence accusations.
