Yankees’ Domingo German Releases Statement on 10-Game Suspension

Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German was ejected from Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays after umpires assessed that he was using an illegal foreign substance. Due to the nature of his ejection, German was slapped with a 10-game suspension from MLB.

On Wednesday, the 30-year-old released a statement in which he revealed his next course of action following the 10-game suspension. 

German said that he does not intend to appeal the suspension due to the fact that the decision would be made by MLB rather than a neutral arbitrator.

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“I was informed by MLB that I am being suspended 10 games because of my ejection on Tuesday,” German said. “I discussed the appeal process with the MLBPA and my team. I learned that the appeal decision is made by MLB, not through a neutral arbitration process—so I do not believe I have a chance to win an appeal. The Yankees asked that I accept the 10-game suspension so that I can begin serving it immediately and return to the mound as soon as possible. Therefore, I am opting to accept my suspension.”

German had worked through three perfect innings against Toronto before the game’s four umpires opted to check his hands ahead of the fourth inning. 

Crew chief James Hoye indicated that German’s hands were the stickiest he’d ever felt, thus leading the umpires to believe that the substance on his hand “definitely wasn’t rosin.” German had been warned about sticky substances earlier in the season, and he claimed it was rosin he had applied between innings.

This season, German has made nine starts, recording a 3.75 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 48 innings of work.