Domingo Germán, a pitcher for the New York Yankees, has said that he will use less rosin on his hands when he returns to the team after serving a 10-game suspension for using a foreign substance on the mound. Germán was suspended by Major League Baseball on May 17, 2021, after being ejected from a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 16, 2021. Germán’s suspension led to him missing two games against the Tampa Bay Rays and three against the Boston Red Sox before returning to the Yankees’ rotation for Monday’s game in Seattle.
Why Was Germán Suspended?
During the fourth inning of the game between the Yankees and the Blue Jays on May 16, 2021, Germán was ejected from the game after his hands were checked by first-base umpire D.J. Reyburn as Germán headed to the mound for the fourth inning. After the game, crew chief James Hoye said that Germán had “the stickiest hand I’ve ever felt.” This led to Germán being suspended by Major League Baseball for 10 games.
Germán’s Plans for the Future
Germán has said that he will probably use less rosin on his hands when he returns to the Yankees’ rotation. He stated that he will go back to previous years when he used rosin way less. Germán has not received a direct explanation from Major League Baseball or the umpires as to what is the appropriate amount of rosin to use. He said that he will have to keep using it, understand how much to use and keep a balance, but at the same time, he has to keep preparing himself to pitch and keep his routine in between starts to get him in the right shape for the next start.
Other Suspended Pitchers
Germán was the fourth pitcher to be suspended since Major League Baseball began cracking down on foreign substances in June 2021, and the second this season. New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer also served a 10-game suspension after being ejected on April 19, 2021, in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. In 2021, Seattle’s Hector Santiago and Arizona’s Caleb Smith served suspensions for sticky substances.
Yankees Manager’s Response
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Germán has to avoid using foreign substances on the mound, and the team has to be more vigilant and check to make sure they are in a good spot. He added that there is no defined line as to what is permissible, and Germán has to be mindful of that.
Germán’s suspension has led him to rethink his use of rosin on his hands. However, he has not received a direct explanation from Major League Baseball or the umpires as to what is the appropriate amount of rosin to use. Germán’s suspension has brought the issue of foreign substances on the mound to the forefront, and Major League Baseball will have to continue to address the issue to ensure a level playing field for all teams.
Leave a Reply