ST. LOUIS — For the first time since he achieved perfection across the country, Domingo German will return to the mound on Monday night in The Bronx.
On the heels of his perfect game against the Athletics, the Yankees’ right-hander will try to put together a suitable encore against the Orioles as the team returns home.
“Wow. It should be pretty neat,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I would imagine the reception will be pretty awesome. Hopefully he can go and just — I don’t want to expect the same, but hopefully he can go out and continue to build off it, obviously which was a very special game.”
Since going 27 up, 27 down on Wednesday night in Oakland, German has been a popular man.
Even him just popping out of the dugout to go play catch each day this weekend at Busch Stadium created a buzz among the fans, which should be taken to another level on Monday at Yankee Stadium.
Monday will also mark Aaron Hicks’ first trip back to The Bronx after the Yankees designated him for assignment in May.
The veteran outfielder will be in the visiting dugout with the Orioles, full beard and all.
“It’s always a little odd, especially when a guy’s been with you for a long time, then you see him on the opposing side,” Boone said. “It’s always a little weird. It’ll be good to see him, though. Hopefully we can have some success, but I know he’s gone over there and done well. So it’ll be nice to see him, a little weird seeing him in a different uni with a beard, but we’ll do our best.”
Since joining the Orioles, Hicks is hitting .260 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 25 games after hitting .188 with a homer and five RBIs in 28 games with the Yankees this season.
Josh Donaldson was not in the lineup Sunday after starting only the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader — though he did pitch the eighth inning of Game 1.
“Just a day,” Boone said. “A little beat up this week, but after a long day [Saturday] and day game today, just wanted to go that way.”
Asked what he meant by “beat up,” Boone cited the long week, travel and the fact that it was a day game after a night game.
Boone said he watched Carlos Rodon’s Saturday night rehab start on Sunday morning and said the left-hander “looked really good.”
Barring an issue popping up in the next few days, Rodon is set to make his Yankees debut Friday in The Bronx against the Cubs.
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