Domingo Germán returns to majors in relief appearance for Pirates

LOS ANGELES -- Right-handed pitcher Domingo Germán made his return to the big leagues Friday night, after the Pittsburgh Pirates selected his contract from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Germán was 6-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 13 starts with the Indians this season.

Germán relieved starter Mitch Keller in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers . He gave up two runs and one hit in four innings, struck out three and walked two in Pittsburgh's 9-5 loss .

In June 2023, Germán tossed the 24th perfect game in major league history. Two months later, he was put on MLB's restricted list following an incident in the New York Yankees clubhouse that reportedly involved a confrontation with manager Aaron Boone.

It was another strike against the 32-year-old Dominican pitcher.

In 2019, Germán was suspended 81 games by MLB for violating the league's domestic violence policy during an incident, while intoxicated, involving his then-girlfriend, whom he later married.

The Yankees cut ties with Germán, leaving his baseball future in doubt.

He signed a minor league deal with the Pirates in March and then opted out of his contract in July before re-signing with the organization a few days later.

Now, he'll be wearing number zero after joining the team in Los Angeles ahead of a three-game series with the NL West-leading Dodgers.

Germán will be counted on to bolster the Pirates' struggling bullpen.

Entering Friday, he was 31-28 with a 4.41 ERA and 543 strikeouts in 112 appearances, including 89 starts, in his big league career, all of which was spent with the Yankees, starting in 2017.

Pitcher Hunter Stratton was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Germán on the 26-man active roster. Pitcher Josh Walker was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.