Yankees star pitcher Domingo Germán was sidelined Thursday as MLB officials investigate an alleged domestic violence incident involving the mother of his two children, sources told The Post.
Germán — whose meteoric rise has seen him become the Bombers’ wins leader and most reliable starter in 2019 — was placed on administrative leave, which starts at seven days but can be extended for as long as the investigation warrants, the league said.
“This is a bigger issue, obviously,” said Yankees manager Aaron Boone on Thursday, asked about the prospect of heading into the playoffs without Germán. “When you hear the words ‘domestic violence,’ it’s one of the things that stops you in your tracks.”
The Dominican-born righty, 27, allegedly roughed up girlfriend Mara Vega on Monday — the same day he and fellow Yankees past and present feted retiring teammate CC Sabathia in a swanky affair at Hudson Yards venue The Shed, according to sources.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the alleged attack took place before or after the gathering, which doubled as a fundraiser that brought in $1.6 million for Sabathia’s PitCCh Foundation charity.
A photo snapped at the event shows the couple beaming, arms around each other, betraying no immediately apparent sign of strife.
No police report was filed, but by Tuesday, MLB officials learned of the spat — and scuttlebutt of the incoming probe soon reached Boone.
“I heard some of the whispers and whatnot, but this is a Major League Baseball investigation and issue,” he said Thursday, adding that he’d only learned of Germán’s placement on administrative leave “on the drive in” to Yankee Stadium.
Asked whether he was aware of the “whispers” when he summoned Germán from the bullpen to toss two-and-a-third scoreless innings in relief of Sabathia during Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Boone indicated that he was, though hw said the details remained hazy.
“It was vague to me,” he said. “All I knew was Major League Baseball was involved in an investigation.”
And pressed later in the briefing to clarify whether he was aware that there was an investigation when Germán last toed the rubber, Boone began to answer but was cut short by Yankees communications personnel, saying they were in “shutdown mode” due to the pending probe.
“We fully support all measures being undertaken by the Commissioner’s Office pursuant to the Policy on Domestic Violence,” read a statement issued by the team announcing Germán’s sidelining. “We support this policy which reinforces that domestic violence has no place in our society and cannot be tolerated.
“We have followed the lead of Major League Baseball and will continue to provide our complete cooperation throughout the investigative process.”
For the duration of his administrative leave, Germán is barred from being around the team, now forced to gear up for October baseball without the rock of their rotation.
Multiple requests for comment from Germán’s agent, Hector Faneytt, went unanswered.
After a promising cup of coffee as a rookie in 2017, Germán struggled to a 5.57 ERA in his sophomore season, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen.
But, in a year that’s seen the Yankees’ ranks decimated by a seemingly endless stream of injuries, Germán stepped up in 2019, turning in an 18-4 record along with a solid 4.03 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Germán’s loss comes just days after yet another Yankee arm went down for the year when Dellin Betances suffered a partial tear of his Achilles tendon taking a celebratory jump off the mound — shortly after making his debut in a season truncated by other maladies.
Right-handed hurler Michael King, 24, was called up Thursday to take Germán’s roster slot.