New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German, who is currently serving an 81-game suspension for domestic violence, said he left baseball in a cryptic Instagram story post on Friday.
After videos of himself playing with his children in a pool and visiting the beach, German wrote seven words without an accompanying explanation: “I left baseball, Thank you my people.”
A translation, via ESPN’s Marly Rivera: “I have quit baseball. Thank you all.”
Screenshot of Domingo German’s Instagram story.
That post was preceded by another cryptic post on German’s Instagram in which he said he would be proud of his professional baseball career if he doesn’t return.
Another translation, via Rivera: “Some people make history on both sides (?), I think I did my part at Yankee Stadium, if I decide not to return, I will be very proud of my 11-year professional career. God bless all those who have supported me. “
If this really is German retiring from baseball, the Yankees apparently didn’t get much notice. Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Friday that he had no information to offer on the situation, while German catcher Gary Sanchez said he had not heard from him in a while.
When asked about Domingo German, Aaron Boone said he had heard about the Instagram post but had nothing more to offer about the situation.
– Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) July 18, 2020
Gary Sánchez says he hasn’t spoken to Domingo German in a long time and that this is the first time he’s heard the news that German said anything about leaving baseball. He had no further information, he said.
– Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) July 18, 2020
German is about to miss the entire 2020 MLB regular season due to an 81-game suspension he received after an incident in which he allegedly slapped his girlfriend at a charity gala last September. No criminal charges were filed against German, but MLB still placed him on administrative leave days after the incident.
After missing the end of the 2019 MLB regular season and postseason, Germany had 63 games left with his suspension entering 2020. Due to the shortened season of the league, he would have to wait until Game 4 for a possible appearance. Yankees ALDS before he could return to The Mound.
In three seasons with the Yankees, German has a 4.52 career ERA and had an outstanding season last year before his suspension. The 27-year-old led the Yankees with 18 wins in 2019 while posting a 4.03 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 143 innings.
Has Domingo German permanently retired? (Photo by Elsa / Getty Images)
