Yankees: Will they limit Domingo German’s innings?

Domingo German is far exceeding expectations thus far in 2019. However, having never thrown more than 85.2 major league innings in a season (2018), the Yankees could very well restrict his innings down the stretch.

With starting pitchers rarely exceeding 100 pitches per outing and more and more clubs (especially the Yankees) building super bullpens for long Postseason runs, starting pitchers are lucky to throw six full innings on any given outing.

In 2018, Max Scherzer led all of baseball with an average of 105.8 pitches per game (220.2 innings). The nearest Yankee starter to the top of the charts was Luis Severino and his 98.5 PC/Start — ranking him 12th in MLB (191.1 innings pitched).

While 26-year-old Domingo German has only thrown 55.1 innings thus far in 2019, should he stay healthy and productive, there is a real possibility of him nearing the 200 inning mark.

Should any further injuries occur to the Yankee staff, Luis Severino and C.C. Sabathia stay on the IL longer than expected, or general manager Brian Cashman decides against trading for another bonafide starter, manager Aaron Boone will have a hard time limiting German’s time on the mound.

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As Boone told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News:

“He’s been huge, no question. He’s been one of the best pitchers in the league, period,” Aaron Boone said. “At a time when we’ve had Sevy out, Paxton is missing some time, CC (Sabathia) to start the season. To have him really do what he’s been able to do to this point has been huge for us.”

Currently pacing the majors in wins (9), German has been a godsend for the Bombers. Without his 2.60 ERA, 0.976 WHIP and 57:16 K:BB ratio, there’s no way the Yanks would sit two games atop the Rays for first place in the AL East.

However, German has never thrown more than 123.1 innings as a professional (2014 at Single-A Greensboro). Shortly after, he underwent Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2015.

Therefore, one would assume, much like during Tuesday’s blowout win against the Orioles (11-4), where German tossed five innings for the win, each outing will dictate his length of stay.

In 10 starts this season, German is leading the Yankees staff in almost six innings per outing.