Phillies Lose Jerad Eickhoff For Several Weeks

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A key member of the middle of the Phillies starting rotation will miss the start of the regular season, sources state.

Jerad Eickhoff, 27, now considered the team's number 3 starter behind aces Aaron Nola and the recently acquired Jake Arrieta, will be out for at least six to eight weeks due to a lat strain in his back.

The injury leaves a few questions for the Phillies as Opening Day approaches. Should Arrieta, who was just signed last week and hasn't yet pitched in a spring training game, be ready, the Phillies could opt for a four man rotation of Nola, Arrieta, Vince Velasquez, and Nick Pivetta. Several teams have announced irregular rotation setups to begin the year, including the Angels' six man rotation and the Rays' four man rotation with a "bullpen day" on the fifth day.

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The Phillies could also opt to give the fifth spot to one of Ben Lively or Zach Eflin. Lively has pitched well this spring but was likely on the outside looking behind Pivetta for the fifth spot following Arrieta's signing.

Eickhoff, acquired in the 2015 Cole Hamels trade with Texas, put up excellent numbers in 2016, pitching 197 innings of 3.65 ERA ball. He regressed in an injury-laden 2017 to a 4.71 ERA, but peripherals, along with the unfortunate timing of the injuries, suggest he is ready for a bounce back year in 2018.

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