Pirates promote oft-suspended perfect game artist to MLB ahead of opt-out

After a devasting homestand that sent the Pirates below .500, a phone call was made to promote a veteran arm from Indianapolis.

Per reports from MLB insider Mike Rodriguez, corroborated by Pirates beat writer Alex Stumpf, Domingo German has had his contract selected and will join the Pirates in Los Angeles.

Pirates reportedly promote veteran right-handed pitcher Domingo German from Triple-A

German was a late signing during spring training, but did not start throwing in games until May. After one start in Bradenton, he went to Triple-A and has pitched in Indianapolis ever since. The original contract he signed had an opt-out clause that led to the Pirates releasing him, but within days, he was re-signed to another minor-league contract.

Stumpf indicated that this recent contract came with an opt-out attached to Aug. 9, which is why the Pirates made the decision to try him out in the major leagues as that date approached. After how German pitched in July, it was likely that another team would have given him a chance.

In Triple-A this season, German has a 6-4 record with an earned run average of 5.29 and a WHIP of 1.43. Opposing hitters are batting .248 against him, and he has struck out 66 batters. His control this season has gotten worse since his time with the Yankees, as his walk percentage sits at 10.3% after being 7.7% last season.

German's hot streak in July has given him an opportunity to prove himself again at the big league level. Last month, German tossed 20.1 innings, posting a WHIP of 1.13 and an opposing batting average of .221. His earned run average was at 3.98 and he struck out 21 batters.

Showing signs of his 2023 form is big for the veteran, as he had a relatively productive season that year. In fact, he tossed a rare perfect game, which happens to be the most recent in the league.

Domingo German has thrown the most recent perfect game in Major League Baseball

There have only been 24 perfect games in MLB history, and German completed the feat just a year ago. This rare achievement headlined an average season for the right hander.

In 2023, German threw 108.2 innings and posted an earned run average of 4.56 with a WHIP of 1.08. Opposing hitters batted just .205 against him and he struck out 114 batters. He got unlucky, as his FIP sat at 4.65, but his xFIP dropped a ton to 4.04.

Off-the-field issues (of his own making) have interrupted German's career repeatedly, and ultimately led to his ouster from New York. He was suspended 81 games for violating the league's joint domestic violence policy, was suspended once again in 2023 for the discovery of a foreign substance, and ultimately left the Yankees in a cloud of suspicion, checking into rehab after a reportedly violent clubhouse incident. The Pirates claim they did their due diligence this offseason and thoroughly vetted the pitcher before presenting him with a contract on the team.

According to German: "I've been growing as a person. Growing and moving forward. Just getting stronger and wiser when it comes to those stages of life." 

If the Pirates can get the 2023 version of German, then they will get a strong addition to the pitching staff. It is unclear what his role with Pittsburgh will be, but it is likely he will join the bullpen as a long relief option.