German has strategy in facing Soto for first time
NEW YORK — Domingo German has never faced Juan Soto, but he has faced plenty of dangerous hitters like him.
German, who was suspended 81 games for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy in 2019, missed all five meetings (two spring and three regular season games) between the Yankees and Nationals last season. So Sunday will be his first time squaring off against Soto in the series finale between the Bombers and the Nationals.
“I’ve faced Mike Trout, Albert Pujols for the first time, Manny Machado, Mookie Betts,” German said. “(Soto) is simply a batter that I can’t really think, I just need to throw. When you start thinking and try to hit corners, that’s when you make a mistake. You just have to throw.”
It will be German’s first time pitching against all but three batters on this 2021 Nats team.
The biggest threat, however, will likely be Soto, who in his age-22 season is slashing .293/.391/.483 with 13 runs, including three homers and 10 RBI, on 17 hits in 58 at bats.
Soto, in his MLB debut year, won three consecutive Rookie of the Month awards in 2018, then played a huge part in the Nationals push for their first World Series title in 2019. He went on to win All-MLB First Team honors in the pandemic-shortened 60-game season last year.
German struggled to start the season, but recovered somewhat over his last three games. Before Sunday he was 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 25 punchouts over 25 innings pitched.
How’s Gio?: Gio Urshela, who missed the series opener against the Nationals on Friday with a swollen knee, was again out of the lineup on Saturday. Boone did not think he would be ready to return by Sunday either, but thought he was heading in the right direction.
“Gio’s doing pretty well this morning,” Boone said. “Much better.”
On Tuesday, the Yankees play the Rays down in Tampa. Boone said it was possible the third baseman plays the opening game of that series.
“I think, continue to be optimistic,” he said, “that this is a day-to-day thing and whether he’s in there tomorrow or maybe the first day in Tampa, we’ll see how he gets through today and what he’s able to do.”
Aaron Hicks was also out of Saturday’s lineup, but Boone confirmed he was just being given the day off.
Britton update: Zack Britton, who had surgery to remove a bone chip in his throwing elbow in March, threw a bullpen session on Friday. Boone said Britton was able to throw his sliders and would have another bullpen session on Tuesday with a sim game up next on Saturday.
If all goes well, Britton will then be moved to his rehab assignment.