New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German issued a public apology following his return from a domestic violence suspension during a press conference on Wednesday.
"I have made mistakes of which I'm not proud of, and for that I want to apologize," German said in a prepared statement through an interpreter.
He also addressed the Steinbrenner family and thanked management for its patience with him. German didn't mention his girlfriend, the alleged victim, or the specifics that led to his suspension.
"When my team needed me the most in 2019 before we started the playoffs, I wasn't there for them, and for that I ask your forgiveness," he said. "It was very difficult for me not to be pitching and helping my team. Having to watch from afar hurt me a lot. But I also understand I am responsible for putting myself in that position."
German said he spoke with teammate Zack Britton, who was critical of his actions when talking to the press last week.
"He has a right to do that. I understood where he was coming from. Good thing is I had the opportunity to talk to him," German said, according to Erik Boland of Newsday, adding that Britton gave him "really good" advice on how to improve.
German said that he and his girlfriend are still together, according to Jack Curry of YES Network.
The right-hander was originally scheduled to speak with reporters on Sunday, but he canceled his appearance to first address his teammates directly, which German did on Tuesday.
Yankees first baseman Luke Voit said he's willing to give German another chance, along with the rest of the locker room.
"He messed up in life," Voit said, according to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic. "I don't condone any of the things he did. He's getting a second chance at this. And we have his back, but he's skating on thin ice, and he needs to get his life together.
"I think he's doing the right steps to do so. But again, you know, he's got to prove to us that he can do that."
In September 2019, German slapped his girlfriend at an event that former teammate CC Sabathia organized, sources told Adler.
Later that night, German, who was intoxicated, was also physically violent toward his girlfriend at his home, sources told Adler. She reportedly contacted the wife of another Yankees player, and that couple drove to German's house. The player then attempted to calm German down while his wife stayed with the 28-year-old's girlfriend.
With his suspension served, German is looking to earn one of the final spots in the Yankees' rotation.
