Domingo German scratched from Yankees start due to root canal

This is a new one.

Because of an emergency root canal, the Yankees scratched slated starter Domingo German for Wednesday night’s game against the Mariners in Seattle and replaced him with recently called-up right-hander Nick Nelson.

Manager Aaron Boone said German underwent the oral surgery Wednesday afternoon and was feeling better a few hours before first pitch, and if needed was available out of the bullpen.

More likely, German will be used later in the week, either as a long man out of the bullpen or as a starter Friday against the Astros. For now, the Yankees don’t have a starting pitcher listed that day. Other options include Nestor Cortes Jr. and Michael King, according to Boone.

“Depending on what happens tonight, what happens tomorrow, he could be in play potentially on Friday,” Boone said.

Yankees Domingo German root canal
The Yankees scratched Domingo German from Wednesday’s start due to an emergency root canal.
Corey Sipkin

Nelson, who has been starting at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, was set to throw 80-90 pitches. He has struggled with the Yankees this year, going 0-2 with a 9.75 ERA in eight outings, including one start.

“He’s built up pretty well,” Boone said.


Zack Britton threw a bullpen session Tuesday and came through it well, Boone said. The next step is for the left-handed reliever to throw live batting practice against hitters before being activated. Britton was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 26 with a left hamstring strain.


The Yankees will be without reliever Darren O’Day for a while. He suffered what Boone termed a “significant” hamstring injury during his pregame routine Tuesday.


Outfielder Clint Frazier (vertigo) remains at home in New York and continues to go through a battery of tests. So far, the results have been positive. Frazier was placed on the IL last Friday after complaining of dizziness. Frazier had dealt with concussion issues in past seasons.

“Trying to leave no stone unturned,” Boone said. “We continue to get encouraging news back, as far as a lot of the serious things [that could be the problem]. He’s gone through pretty extensive testing, and we’re getting good news on that.”

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