MLB Rumors: Former Yankee Domingo Germán Linked to Orioles, Blue Jays in Free Agency

Erin WalshJanuary 25, 2024

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Former New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán is expecting to return to the mound in 2024.

The right-hander is in contract discussions with six teams, according to Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post, including the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, though Steve Cohen’s team is considered “the least favorites,” Sanchez added.

While no deal is imminent, two teams have made offers to Germán, per Sanchez.

Germán had spent his entire seven-year career with the Yankees before becoming a free agent in November after refusing an outright assignment to the minor leagues.

The 31-year-old was limited to just 20 games (19 starts) during the 2023 campaign as he was placed on the restricted list by the Yankees in August and voluntarily entered an inpatient treatment program for alcohol abuse following a reported incident in the team clubhouse.

The Wall Street Journal’s Lindsey Adler reported at the time that Germán got into confrontations with teammates and manager Aaron Boone, flipped over a couch and smashed a television prior to a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.

After determining he was under the influence of alcohol, the Yankees placed him in the team’s nap room, where he was watched by security, while the remainder of the roster prepared to face the Rays.

According to Sanchez, Germán “has completed the required steps of an inpatient treatment program” and “is still voluntarily checking in with professionals periodically to ensure he is on the right path.”

“He’s doing well, working hard,” a source told Sanchez. “He has moved away from a lot of the distractions he had before. He’s in a good place.”

The clubhouse incident is the second known off-field issue that occurred during Germán’s tenure with the Yankees.

He was previously suspended 81 games during the 2019 and pandemic-shortened 2020 seasons for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy after allegedly getting physically violent toward his then-girlfriend, who is now his wife, while intoxicated.

Germán had an up-and-down 2023 season prior to being placed on the restricted list.

The Dominican was ejected from a start in May after failing a sticky substance examination and was subsequently suspended 10 games. About one month later, he tossed a perfect game in an 11-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Germán went 5-7 in 2023 with a 4.56 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 114 strikeouts across 108.2 innings. He owns a career 4.41 ERA in 112 games (89 starts).