PITTSBURGH — Domingo Germán was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday in a move that could end the pitcher’s stint with the club.
Germán, who pitched a perfect game last year, was cut one day after allowing seven runs — six earned — and seven hits over three innings as the Pirates were no-hit by the Chicago Cubs. The 32-year-old right-hander was 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA in seven games for Pittsburgh this season, allowing 17 runs over 8 2/3 innings in his last three appearances.
He is 31-29 with a 4.54 ERA in seven major league seasons.
Germán, who spent his first six major league seasons with the Yankees, was suspended for 81 games on Jan. 2, 2020, for violating the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy of Major League Baseball and the players’ association.
On May 16, 2023, he was ejected from a game against the Toronto Blue Jays for using an banned sticky substance and suspended for 10 games.
Germán pitched the 24th perfect game in major league history on June 28, 2023, at Oakland. He was placed on the restricted list on Aug. 2 after agreeing to voluntarily submit to inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse.
Germán elected free agency after the season and agreed to a minor league contract with the Pirates in mid-March. He made his Pirates debut on Aug. 9.
Left-hander Joey Wentz took his roster spot after Wentz was claimed off waivers from Detroit.
“Obviously, really excited to be here,” Wentz said. “The last couple days were kind of just wait and see what was going to happen. When I got the call that the Pirates claimed me, just super excited. I’ve played against them three or four times. Just really excited to be a part of the group now.”