MLB Weekly Digest July 3rd Edition: Yankees German Is Perfect

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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the American League making history, a team making a move to strengthen their bullpen, and a pitcher being placed on the injured list with a back injury.

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Domingo German Throws 24^th Perfect Game in MLB History

New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German was locked in during his last start against the Oakland Athletics and became the 24^th pitcher in MLB history to toss a perfect game.

Germán. HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/ktEZbxZNIo

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 29, 2023

German had nine strikeouts and tossed 99 pitches as the Yankees cruised to an 11-0 victory over the Athletics.

He is the first Yankees pitcher to throw a perfect game since David Cone was masterful in 1999 and the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since Seattle Mariners Felix Hernandez in 2012.

He is the fourth pitcher in Yankees’ history to throw a perfect game, joining Don Larsen (1956 World Series), David Wells (1998), and Cone.

German is only the second pitcher since 1912 to enter an eventual perfect game with an ERA over 5.00, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.

Cool nugget from @ESPNStatsInfo: Domingo Germán is only the second pitcher since 1912 to enter an eventual perfect game with an ERA over 5.00.

The other: David Wells, 1998.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) June 29, 2023

German entered this outing struggling, as he allowed 10 runs in the previous start against the Seattle Mariners.

He is the first player in MLB history to throw a perfect game after allowing at least 10 runs in his previous start, per ESPN Stats & Info.

Domingo Germán allowed 10 runs against the Mariners on June 22.

He's the first player in MLB history to throw a perfect game after allowing double-digit runs in his previous start. pic.twitter.com/8CXAy9zHNI

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 29, 2023

Hopefully, this start by German can turn the season around for him.

In 15 starts, he has posted a 4.54 ERA across 81 1/3 innings pitched with a 91 ERA+, 4.87 FIP, and a 1.04 WHIP.

Texas Rangers Acquire Reliever Aroldis Chapman from Kansas City Royals

The Texas Rangers made a move to fortify their bullpen as they acquired reliever Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals.

We have traded LHP Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers in exchange for LHP Cole Ragans and OF Roni Cabrera.

Ragans, a 40-man roster player, has been optioned to Omaha (AAA) and Cabrera has been assigned to the Royals Dominican Summer League team.

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 30, 2023

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, they sent the Royals left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans and outfielder Roni Cabrera.

And so trade season begins: The Texas Rangers, in pursuit of bullpen help, acquired left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman. Going back to Kansas City in the trade will be left-hander Cole Ragans and outfielder Roni Cabrera.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 30, 2023

After spending the last six seasons with the New York Yankees, Chapman signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Royals in the offseason.

The reliever was solid for the Royals this season, posting a 2.45 ERA in 29 1/3 innings pitched (31 games) with 53 strikeouts, 20 walks, zero home runs allowed, a 179 ERA+, 1.71 FIP, and a 1.22 WHIP.

He has bounced back after enduring a poor 2022 season with the Yankees, as he compiled a 4.46 ERA in 36 1/3 innings pitched (43 games) with 43 strikeouts, 28 walks issued, four home runs allowed, an 87 ERA+, 4.57 FIP, and 1.43 WHIP.

He is an experienced reliever, a significant boost to the bullpen for the Rangers.

Tampa Bay Rays Place Starting Pitcher Shane McClanahan on IL with Back Tightness

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed starting pitcher Shane McClanahan on the injured list with mid-back tightness, per a team announcement.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed LHP Shane McClanahan on the 15-Day Injured List with mid-back tightness and have recalled LHP Jalen Beeks from Triple-A Durham.

— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) July 1, 2023

The team put their ace on the IL after he lasted three innings in his last start against the Seattle Mariners.

He made a start on seven days of rest but yielded a season-high four runs with three walks and struck out just one batter.

This was the second straight start cut short; he lasted only 3 2/3 innings on June 22, facing the Kansas City Royals with a similar back issue and diminished velocity.

The upcoming break should allow his back to heal, and the Rays need their ace healthy to have a solid second half of the season.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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