The strange career of Yankees suspended right-hander Domingo German took another turn on Saturday, reversing course and insisting he will not retire from baseball.
“Baseball is my life and I promise I won’t leave,” German posted on Instagram on Saturday, a day after the 27-year-old hinted that his career was over.
On Friday, German, who is serving the remaining 63 games of the suspension he incurred last year for violating the league’s domestic violence protocol, wrote an Instagram post in Spanish that translated to: “I quit baseball. Thanks to my people. “
An earlier post followed that also led to speculation about German’s future.
But on Saturday, German insisted that he is still committed to the game and blamed his retirement posts for a lapse of trial. He deleted both posts on Friday night.
“For my teammates, the Yankees organization and our fans, I am very sorry for the disturbing post. [Friday] night, ” German wrote. “Last year was very difficult for my family and me, for which I take full responsibility. Not being with my teammates as they prepare for the season, knowing that I have disappointed them, it has taken its toll and [Friday] night I let my emotions take over me “
Before Saturday’s exhibition game against the Mets at Citi Field, Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t have much to offer about German’s situation.
“It is not very clear,” Boone said. “Obviously I have seen things from Instagram, but I do not have much more clarity. I know there hasn’t been much between him and the club about what exactly is happening. ”
Although the 2020 season has only 60 games scheduled, the league previously said Germany would be eligible to play in early 2021 because it also retired from last year’s playoffs.
German was 18-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 143 innings last year before his season ended in September after the incident. He agreed to an 81-game suspension that included 18 games completed last fall. If this season had progressed normally, the right would have been eligible to return to game action on June 5.
“I am using this time to become stronger, to become a better person and father, and I can only hope to join my peers once more to make them proud,” German wrote Saturday. “Please forgive me for this mistake.”
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