Yankees' Starting Pitcher Suddenly Lands on Injured List

MIAMI — The morning another strong performance, Domingo Germán is headed to the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

New York announced the sudden injury news moments before first pitch of Sunday's series finale in Miami. In Germán's place, the Yankees recalled right-hander Albert Abreu from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

After Sunday afternoon's victory over the Marlins, manager Aaron Boone said Germán will likely get an MRI when the club returns to the Bronx on Monday. Before then, he doesn't want to speculate too much on the severity of Germán's injury.

"He had a little shoulder soreness after his last start and then last night when he was going home, he felt it a little bit, a little bit this morning," Boone said. "It's been in there enough to where he said something, so we'll find out what we have this week."

Germán has been one of New York's most consistent starting pitchers this season, anchoring the second half of the rotation. Subtract three appearances out of the bullpen in early-July and the right-hander has posted a 4.25 ERA over 18 starts in 2021 with 88 strikeouts in 91 frames. 

On Saturday, Germán tossed four strong frames in a 4-2 victory, allowing just two runs. This comes after Germán twirled seven no-hit innings at Fenway Park his previous time out, striking out 10.

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This news certainly isn't ideal for the Bombers' pitching staff. Germán now joins Corey Kluber, Luis Severio, Michael King and prospect Clarke Schmidt on the injured list, a legitimate five-man rotation on the sidelines. 

Further, with Germán's trip to the IL, more pressure will be placed on left-hander Andrew Heaney. The southpaw was acquired at the Trade Deadine from the Los Angeles Angels, set to provide some depth and experience to this pitching staff.

Now, Heaney will be tasked with filling a hole in the rotation, allowing funky lefty Nestor Cortes to continue to get starts rather than returning to the bullpen.

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