Major League Baseball on Tuesday reinstated New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German from the restricted list, the club announced Tuesday.
The 28-year-old right-hander is ineligible to play this postseason, however, as Sept. 15 was the deadline for players to come off the restricted list in order to be eligible for the postseason.
German accepted an 81-game suspension late last season for a violation of MLB’s policy prohibiting domestic violence. He had 63 games remaining on the punishment ahead of this 60-game season, but an agreement between the league and the players union in March allowed German to be eligible for all of the 2021 season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed German’s potential reinstatement last month, and told reporters German wouldn’t be a consideration because of the amount of time he has missed.
“To be able to ramp him up and put him in this kind of situation I don’t think is really fair to anyone,” Boone said. “We look forward to Domingo being a really significant part of the team again heading into next year.”
Back in July, German offered an apology after he posted several cryptic Instagram posts implying that he was retiring from baseball.
“To my teammates, the Yankees organization, and our fans, I am very sorry for the unsettling post (Friday) night,” German said the following day in an Instagram story. “This past year has been very tough for my family and myself, for which I take full responsibility. Not being with my teammates while they get ready for the season, knowing I have let them down, has taken a toll on me and (Friday) night I let my emotions get the best of me. Baseball is my life and I promise I’m not walking away.”
German’s apology comes on the heels of him posting a picture of himself shouting during a game. His post included Spanish words that translated as: “Some people make history on both sides, I think I did my part at Yankee Stadium, if I decide not to come back, I will be very proud of my 11-year professional career. God bless everyone who has supported me.”
In a separate post in Spanish, German also wrote, “I’ve left baseball. Thanks everyone.”
Last year, German went 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 27 games (24 starts), leading the major leagues in winning percentage. He struck out 153 and walked 39 in 143 innings.
For his three-year major league career, all with the Yankees, German has a 20-11 record with a 4.52 ERA in 55 games (38 starts).
