Domingo German won the fifth starter spot thanks to a dominant spring training performance, but through the first two starts of his season, he looks nothing like the pitcher that allowed just two runs in 13 innings this past spring.
German was knocked around again on Saturday, allowing four runs over four innings, scattering eight hits in that span. After the game, he was optioned to the alternate site, which could be part of the team's need for fresh arms after German and Corey Kluber failed to go deep into games over the last two days, but while German will likely be back soon, are his early starts a concern for the Yanks?
The righty’s performance was far from what the Yankees saw in spring and in 2019 before he was suspended for violating the league’s domestic violence policy, but Aaron Boone is still expecting a return to spring form in the near future.
“I actually thought he threw OK,” Boone said of German’s outing on Saturday. “Obviously the two home runs, he had a mistake changeup that he yanked down and in to [Austin] Meadows there trying to go away, and a first pitch of the inning where he was trying to get a sinker in to [Randy] Arozarena and put it right on the plate and he put a good swing on it.”
The home runs remain a concern for German. They were a demerit on an otherwise solid season in 2019, and he has already allowed two long balls in each of his first two starts this season. He may limit the damage other than the home runs, but with the Yankee offense still looking to break out, those home runs are enough to put the Yankees down for another loss.
“Really it was just the two home runs today and the inability to grab a couple softly hit balls back to him,” Boone said. “He fills up the strike zone, which we love. He goes after guys and really commands his pitches and lives in the strike zone, so there’s usually not a lot of free passes with him. We can live with some solo shots here and there, so overall, I don’t feel like he’s far off from really dialing in a good one.”
German told reporters after Saturday’s loss that he feels good on the mound, even after not pitching in a meaningful game for a year and a half, and the results haven’t matched how he’s felt physically.
“I do feel really good,” German said. “Today I felt I was more aggressive in the zone…but that’s how it goes. Hitters make adjustments and it’s up to us as pitchers to make adjustments. It’s up to be now to make the necessary adjustments. I’m definitely not pleased with the results I’ve gotten in these two outings. One of the things I’ve wanted to do is be aggressive in the zone, but Tampa is a good hitting team and knows the strike zone very well. I have to look at the tape and make the adjustments for the next outing.”
If German continues to struggle, Deivi Garcia could become an option to round out the rotation, but the Yanks will likely give German more time to find his stride. But the initial results haven’t been encouraging, regardless of how German feels on the mound.
“I actually feel really good,” German said. “I feel comfortable out there on the mound…but this is how it goes. You lose some and you win some…the important thing here is to lock in on the work and move forward.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch