Yankees' German to address teammates about domestic violence suspension
New York Yankees right-hander Domingo German is planning to meet with his teammates about his 81-game domestic violence suspension before talking to the media.
"It is important to me that I have the opportunity to speak directly with my teammates, both individually and collectively, and address them face to face before I speak to the media, and our fans," German said in a statement.
"This process has begun, but more time is needed," he added. "Especially since half our team has yet to report to spring training.
"I recognize that speaking publicly will be an important step for me. And I will do so in the upcoming days."
Yankees reliever Zack Britton made his discomfort with German's presence this spring clear when asked about it on Thursday.
"I don't think he owes anything to me," Britton said. "I think it's off-the-field stuff that he needs to take care of. Sometimes you don't get to control who your teammates are, and that's the situation.
"I don't agree with what he did. I don't think it has any place in the game or off the field at all."
Additional details emerged about German's actions that led to his suspension.
In September 2019, German slapped his girlfriend at a charity gala that former teammate CC Sabathia organized, sources told Lindsey Adler of The Athletic.
Later that night, an intoxicated German was physically violent toward his girlfriend until she hid in a locked room at his home, sources told Adler. The victim reportedly contacted the wife of another Yankees player, and that couple drove to German's home. The player then attempted to calm German down while his wife stayed with the victim.
There's no police record because it was not reported to law enforcement authorities.
Major League Baseball handed German his suspension after completing its investigation. He served 18 games of that punishment at the end of the 2019 campaign, and the right-hander missed all of 2020.
While he only sat out 78 games due to the shortened 2020 schedule, his suspension is considered to be served in full.