Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German was ejected from his start Tuesday night against the Blue Jays after the umpire crew deemed he had been using illegal foreign substances.
German had worked through three perfect innings before the umpires assessed that his hands were too sticky and ejected him from the game. He needed just 37 pitches to get through three innings, striking out two.
As a result of his ejection for an illegal foreign substance, German faces a 10-game suspension from MLB, though he has the right to appeal.
According to Michael Kay on the YES Network broadcast, German was checked by umpires at the start of the fourth inning. Typically, substance checks occur after the inning, but all four umpires opted to take a closer look at German’s hands prior to him taking the mound in the fourth frame, resulting in his ejection.
Yankees starter Domingo Germán has been ejected for having an illegal substance pic.twitter.com/hq9aIPo5DX
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 17, 2023
German has had a previous run-in with umpires over potential use of a foreign substance earlier this season when New York faced the Twins back in April. The Yankees starter was ordered to wash off the substance but was not ejected from that game.
Earlier this season, Mets ace Max Scherzer was ejected and suspended for 10 games under similar circumstances, but he opted against appealing his suspension.
Ian Hamilton came on in relief of German ahead of the fourth inning, recording two outs before making way for Ron Marinaccio. The Yankees led 2-0 at the time of German’s departure.
