What the New York Yankees should expect without Domingo German

The hits keep on coming for the New York Yankees. No, I’m not talking about their potent offense, but the injuries and suspensions the club has had to endure the past few days.

Just after 2 p.m., the Yankees announced on Twitter that Domingo German was placed on administrative leave by the Commissioner’s Office and placed on the restricted list. In the same tweet, the club announced they inked Michael King to a Major League contract, and he would immediately be placed on the active roster and sport No. 73.

As reported by SNY’s Andy Martino, the 27-year-old right-hander is alleged to have been involved in a domestic incident involving his girlfriend following CC Sabathia‘s charity event late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

"“This is something that, baseball aside, this is a bigger issue, obviously,” Boone said. “When you hear the words domestic violence, it’s one of those things that stops you in your tracks. I give Major League Baseball and the Players’ Association credit for doing their part in, several years ago, trying to be ahead of this and putting disciplinary action in place, hopefully being part of the solution to what is a problem in our society.”"

While it’s unknown how long German’s suspension will be, the MLB has handed down two domestic violence suspensions this season. The first on July 5 to Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera and a 20-game ban to Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Julio Urias on Aug. 17.

In 27 games — 24 starts — the Dominican Republic native amassed an 18-4 record over 143 innings with 153 whiffs and a 4.04 ERA.

With the impending suspension, Boone will have to get creative with his pitching staff and bullpen heading into the Postseason. With a limited scouting report, considering not many players on playoff rosters will have faced King before, he might be the Bronx Bombers’ secret weapon.

King, a 24-year-old righty from Rochester, NY, will be expected to contribute during the final week of the season. While he has seven games to prove himself worthy of a spot on the Postseason roster, the Yankees No. 19 prospect may have a few things working in his favor.

While he only appeared in 11 games across four Minor League levels due in part to rehabbing from an arm injury, the Yankees 2018 Minor League Pitcher of the Year sported a 5.48 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 46 innings of work. Those numbers shouldn’t scare anyone with the small sample size.

During his 2018 campaign, the hurler was able to compete in three levels in his first year in the Yankees farm system since he joined the organization in a trade that saw GM Brian Cashman traded left-hander Caleb Smith and first baseman Garrett Cooper to the Miami Marlins. In 25 games, King compiled an 11-5 mark, including two complete games, with a 1.79 ERA  and 152 punchouts over 161 1/3 innings.

With a two-seam fastball sitting between 92-95 mph, along with his changeup and slider, King has three-pitches in his arsenal that could stymie opponents in the batter’s box come October.