Domingo German close to coming off IL, rejoining Yankees
BOSTON — Domingo German is ready, in his mind, to pitch at this level. The righthander had a solid rehab start on Saturday night and said Sunday afternoon he feels ready to be back throwing for the Yankees. Aaron Boone said they will decide in the next few days if he’s coming off the injured list.
“Yeah, it felt really good. Felt that it was a good start. I felt good physically,” German said. “I definitely feel ready to compete at this level so it’s really good.”
German threw four innings without giving up a run. He struck out four, did not walk a batter and hit one. He threw 53 pitches, 34 for strikes. His velocity was around 91-92 miles an hour.
Boone said he wasn’t concerned about the velocity, which pitching coach Matt Blake said should tick up when he get back to the big leagues and if they use him in shorter spurts.
The Yankees will see if they need him now or after the All-Star break.
“I mean, that’s what we’ll talk about the next couple days. obviously, that’s not a decision we’ll make or have to make for a couple more days at least because he’s not going to be ready to pitch for us for another three or four days anyway,” the manager said. “But we’ll have those kinds of internal conversations to see what makes the most sense. Whether it’s one more or just bring him now. Certainly another encouraging step for him, pitching as well as he did.”
German began the season on the injured list with what the team says is impingement syndrome in his right shoulder.
SHRINKING PLAYING TIME
Joey Gallo was not in the starting lineup for the second straight night Sunday. The struggling outfielder has been losing playing time because of his issues at the plate.
The lefty-hitting outfielder has struggled to adjust to playing for the Yankees, to say the least. In 128 games, Gallo is slashing .163/.295/.372 with a .666 OPS, 23 home runs, 43 RBI and 72 walks. He has struck out 180 times in 393 at-bats.
Boone is using veteran infielder Matt Carpenter in the outfield now to get his hot lefty bat in the lineup.
Boone said he hasn’t talked to Gallo about it yet.
“I haven’t. I try to have conversations as we go, but I haven’t yet,” Boone said.
The Yankees have explored ways to try and deal Gallo before the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
LO’S CLOSE
Jonathan Loaisiga struck out one in a perfect inning pitched for Low Class-A Tampa Saturday, a big step towards his return from the injured list.
“Lo looked really good. I thought it was pretty good. He only threw 13 pitches, but he looked really sharp,” Boone said.
Loaisiga, who has been on the IL since late May with shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to throw in another rehab assignment with Scranton on Tuesday.
“We’ll see,” Boone said when asked if Loaisiga could be back before the All-Star break begins on Sunday night. “Yeah, it’s possible. Just decide if we want to have him have one more.”
MARINACCIO THROWING
Ron Marinaccio, who was placed on the injured list last week with shoulder inflammation, has started throwing again. The right hander was shut down July 3 after throwing in a game in Cleveland.
“He’s doing well. He played catch I believe yesterday,” Boone said “I know he was encouraged by it. A little better than we had thought. So he should be on his way to start to build back up.”
