Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán.
- Major League Baseball has suspended New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán for 81 games under its domestic violence policy.
- The 27-year-old was put on paid administrative leave on September 19, 2019, after being accused of slapping his girlfriend after a charity gala held by fellow Yankee CC Sabathia on September 16, 2019.
- Because he has officially been suspended, he will have to pay the Yankees back for all the money he received while on administrative leave, Sports Illustrated reported.
- Germán the 12th player to receive a suspension under the MLB's domestic violence policy, with the fourth-longest ban overall. The three players who received higher suspensions faced criminal charges, while Germán has not yet been charged.
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New York Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán will miss the first 63 games of the MLB season, following a suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic violence policy.
The 27-year-old hasn't played since September 19, 2019, when he was put on administrative leave over an alleged domestic violence incident that took place earlier that week.
Germán was accused of slapping his girlfriend, who's the mother of at least one of his children, after a charity gala hosted by fellow Yankee CC Sabathia on September 16. According to Yahoo Sports, there were conflicting reports over who witnessed the incident, specifically whether a member of the commissioner's office saw what happened.
There were no formal charges or arrest following the alleged incident and conflicting reports over what happened. There were also questions over whether a member of the commissioner's office was a witness, according to Yahoo Sports
The suspension is retroactive to the 18 games played by the Yankees after September 19 last year. Germán will miss 81 games in all, and will be banned from playing until June 5, which marks the Yankees' 64th game of the upcoming season.
Germán was paid while on administrative leave, but will not be paid for the remainder of the suspension. He will also be required to pay the Yankees back for all the money he received while on administrative leave, Sports Illustrated reported.
He will also make a donation to Sanctuary for Families, a New York-based organization that helps victims of domestic violence, according to the New York Times.
Germán received the fourth-longest suspension under the MLB's domestic violence policy
Germán is the 12th player to receive a suspension under the league's domestic violence policy, with the fourth-longest ban overall.
Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German.
The league's current domestic violence policy was unveiled in 2015 and was created to provide treatment and intervention, investigations, discipline, and training and resources in instances of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Per the policy, players are paid while on administrative leave while MLB officials investigate allegations. If discipline, such as a suspension, is later imposed, time off can be converted into unpaid leave.
In 2018, then-San Diego Padres pitcher José Torres was banned for 100 games after his arrest on domestic violence charges. Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera was suspended in 2019 for 85 games over a domestic violence case. Charges were later dropped, but the suspension was upheld.
Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Hector Olivera was banned for 82 games in 2016, after he was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery.
Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Felipe Vazquez is currently on administrative leave while facing charges of soliciting a 13-year-old girl for sex.
Germán was never charged in the alleged domestic violence incident
Germán was never charged in the 2019 incident, and this is MLB's longest suspension issued under its domestic abuse policy without formal charges in the legal system. Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell, who was also never charged, was suspended for 40 games following a series of abuse allegations by his ex-wife.
"We remain steadfast in our support of Major League Baseball's investigative process and the disciplinary action taken regarding Domingo Germán. Domestic Violence - in any form - is a gravely serious matter that affects every segment of our society," the Yankees said in a statement. "Major League Baseball has taken the lead in our industry to make domestic violence awareness and prevention a priority, and we will continue to back those efforts. We are encouraged by Domingo's acceptance of his discipline and we sincerely hope this indicates a commitment to making a meaningful and positive change in his personal conduct."
Germán was 18-4 last season. The Yankees had been preparing to go on without him next season and signed Gerrit Cole to a $324 million, nine-year contract last month.
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