Yankees Pitcher in Rehab After Reported 'Belligerent' Clubhouse Night
Domingo Germán has been a great asset to the New York Yankees since joining the team in 2017. He pitched a perfect game earlier this season, only the 24th in major league history and first since 2012. But the Dominican-born star has also been dealing with personal issues off the field.
On Aug. 2, the Yankees announced that Germán was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse in a rehab facility. He's been placed on the team's Restricted List as he focuses on his recovery at this time.
"It is critical that Domingo completely focuses on addressing his health and well-being," the statement read. "We will respect his privacy as he begins this process."
Statement from the New York Yankees: pic.twitter.com/kZhJETdr7x
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 2, 2023
After the announcement went public, The Wall Street Journal reported that the tipping point was when Germán appeared intoxicated while at the Yankees clubhouse with his teammates. The pitcher allegedly got into "belligerent" confrontations with his fellow players as well as team manager Aaron Boone. He also reportedly flipped a couch and smashed a TV before his teammates put him in a sauna to try to get him to sweat out the alcohol.
Boone addressed the situation after the Yankees game on Aug. 2. For him, the decision to take Germán off the field was more than just a professional decision; it was done for the preservation of his personal health.
"He is a sweetheart of a guy. So when you see something that certainly has now affected his livelihood and more importantly his life and you know how serious it is, it is very sad for someone that's very talented," the manager admitted. "My takeaway of all of it is just hope and pray that he gets the right kind of help that truly gets him going in the right direction for the rest of his life."
"He is a sweetheart of a guy. So when you see something that has now affected his livelihood and his life and you know how serious it is, it is very sad for someone that's very talented"
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) August 3, 2023
- Aaron Boone on Domingo Germán pic.twitter.com/p2qVpziaVE
Germán won't be back on the field for the rest of the season as he focuses on improving himself. General manager Brian Cashman expressed his wish for the pitcher to get better to reporters.
"Certainly it's a very serious issue that affects way too many people, unfortunately, and hopefully the steps that are being taken today will really benefit him for the remaining part of his life because it's a very serious problem that you need to address head-on and these treatment places are significant steps hopefully to helping him get the tools to solve it," Cashman said, per ESPN.
"I'm just worried right now for the person and the immediate family," he continued. "Domingo Germán has certainly been a part of the Yankee family and he's dealing with a very serious issue and I certainly think we're all going to keep him in our prayers as he takes very important but necessary steps in trying to deal with this problem."
Germán has the well wishes of countless fans who are ready to see him return to the pitcher's mound in full force next year.