Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán was dominant in Saturday’s 6-1 win against the Minnesota Twins. He struck out 11 batters in 6.1 innings, allowing just one run on three hits. But his day probably should have ended much earlier.
After Germán started the game with three perfect innings, the umpiring crew led by crew chief James Hoye did the customary check for foreign substances. And that’s when they noticed an unusual amount of rosin or sticky stuff on Germán’s hand. Germán could have been ejected right there, but he was allowed to wash his hands and stay in the game.
Yet, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli couldn’t believe it when Germán was checked again in the fourth inning and was still allowed to stay in the game despite the foreign substance remaining on his hand.
Rocco Baldelli got tossed after the umps allowed Domingo German to remain in the game following a lengthy substance check pic.twitter.com/6cWSg3iJPo
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 15, 2023
The broadcast slowed down the conversation with the umpires, and we could see that Germán was told to wash his hands. Baldelli was understandably furious with the leniency that Germán was being showed in that situation as MLB rules call for the pitcher to get ejected if a foreign substance is detected. Instead, it was Baldelli who got ejected.
Rocco Baldelli says his issue was that Domingo German was warned for having excess rosin and then was not ejected after failing to comply with the warning pic.twitter.com/ggazj4LySc
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 15, 2023
MLB fans also couldn’t believe that Germán was allowed to stay in the game.
This was how Twitter reacted
Obviously I’m waaay late on this. But you have to be kidding. I’m wondering if this is the precedence set by the league for all teams or just ONE team? Really makes you think. Doesn’t it. https://t.co/9s1fgodUM6
— Htown Wheelhouse™️2X World Serious Champs '17, '22 (@HtownWheelhouse) April 15, 2023
Domingo German goes from trash to ace overnight and then gets caught with a substance on his hand, but yeah, I’m sure it’s definitely innocent, nothing to see here. Absolutely ridiculous. #MNTwins https://t.co/9DMW6n46QU
— Rachael Millanta (@rachaelmillanta) April 15, 2023
Obviously, as a #MNTwins fan, I'm a bit biased. But it seems to me they let him continue pitching after having found something on his hands. What's the point of having the rule if you're not going to enforce it consistently? https://t.co/MUXMWKFaui
— Nathan (@ngtcollectibles) April 15, 2023
Rocco gets the short end on a lot of these protest and challenge situations, I've noticed https://t.co/Tt4vNpy4rP
— You Bunch Of Marks (@youbunchofmarks) April 15, 2023
Bizarre situation. I don't blame Baldelli for being mad.
If his hands didn't pass the test, he should be ejected. Simple as that. https://t.co/kInX90MTM5
— STL Sports (@Cards_Blues) April 15, 2023
This entire situation is absolutely ridiculous https://t.co/ufmz6KRvh4
— Zone-In Sports Talk (@ZoneInSports) April 15, 2023
I for one am shocked the Yankees got away with something! https://t.co/jaUfNNWSJc
— Drew Claussen (@drewclaussen) April 16, 2023
I likely would have gotten tossed too. What’s the point of checking if nothing happens when you actually find something? https://t.co/PobZazk4Cf
— Mize (@Mizener) April 15, 2023
Rocco got hosed here. Toss German. https://t.co/5JAx3ts1Ow
— Brian Fletcher (@Brian_Fletcher) April 15, 2023
Why have the rule if you’re not going enforce it?
