Jerad Eickhoff Rehabbing, Nearing MLB Return

Clearwater, FL

July 30, 2019

Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff threw two innings for the Clearwater Threshers on Tuesday and allowed zero runs on two hits while striking out two batters. Eickhoff has spent the last six weeks on the injured list with right bicep tendinitis. He has spent the last week and a half at the Phillies minor league complex playing catch and working out. 

“This is the best I’ve felt in a long time so I think we’re on the right track.” He told me after his workout on Monday.

The Phillies are currently a half-game out of the wild card, and Phillies pitchers, primarily out of the bullpen have struggled thus far in 2019. They have posted a bullpen ERA of 4.72, the tenth worst in the MLB. If Eickhoff can pitch as well as he had been before his injury, his return could be key to the Phillies clinching their first playoff birth since 2011.

“I want to help in any way I can whether that’s in the bullpen or starting I just want to get back and contribute” Eickhoff tells me. 

Eickhoff will make at least one more outing with the Threshers before going to either Reading (Double-A) or Lehigh Valley (Triple-A) to complete his rehab assignment.