NEW YORK -- Domingo German was scratched from his scheduled start for the New York Yankees on Monday night with an injury that apparently wasn't long lasting.
The right-hander came out of the bullpen and pitched in relief in the top of the fifth inning, with New York trailing Tampa Bay, 5-1.
Hours earlier, New York manager Aaron Boone said German had felt discomfort in his armpit Sunday, wasn't able to play catch and wouldn't be able to pitch in the series opener. He felt good Monday, per Boone, but was expected to see a doctor.
"We just didn't feel like we could risk sending him out there and then if we had to pull the plug in the first inning or something, it would put us in a tough situation," Boone said before the game. "So he's going to see the doctor I think in about an hour just to rule anything out. We don't think it's an IL situation, but want him to see the doctor and just make sure."
Rookie right-hander Jhony Brito was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to face the Rays in the opener of an important three-game series. But he struggled, allowing five runs on six hits through four innings, leading to German's appearance.
German entered Monday 5-7 with a 4.77 ERA in 19 starts this season. He had lost his last two outings and has a 5.64 ERA in four starts since pitching the 24th perfect game in major league history -- and first since 2012 -- on June 28 at Oakland.
Brito entered the game 4-4 with a 4.70 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance over three previous stints with the Yankees this season. His most recent big league outing was June 27 at Oakland.
In seven starts at Triple-A, he is 2-2 with a 5.45 ERA.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.