Yankees activate Domingo German, option Stephen Tarpley to Triple- A

Earlier today, the Yankees announced that they activated Domingo German off the injured list. The right-hander will start tonight in the Subway Series finale against the Mets. As a corresponding move. the club optioned left-handed reliever Stephen Tarpley to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

German, 26, landed on the injured list with a strained hip flexor back on June 9. He reportedly first felt the injury during a start against the Kansas City Royals on May 26. The hip pain appeared to affect his pitching, as the right-hander logged an 8.59 ERA (7.30 FIP) with an outrageous 4.30 HR/9 over his final three starts.

Prior to the hip strain, German had been the staff ace for the Yankees. He pitched to a 2.60 ERA with a 3.25 FIP across 55.1 innings. He filled in admirably for the injured Luis Severino and looked like a lock for the All-Star team. If German could return that level, then the Yankees would become all the more dangerous. Even if he pitches more like a number three starter than an ace, the team would be happy. Getting German back does a lot to save a taxed bullpen.

As for Tarpley, he has done well in limited time for the Yankees. The southpaw’s 9.64 ERA and 8.14 FIP are skewed from the London Series, where nearly all pitchers involved struggled, and a poor appearance in March. He allowed one run over four June innings before heading to London.

Are you excited for German’s return? What do you expect from him moving forward? Let us know in the comment section!