CLEARWATER, Fla. — Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, projected to be part of the Phillies' starting pitching rotation at the start of the season, has a small fracture on the outer part of his right thumb. Though Eickhoff is now behind the other pitchers in early-camp drills, team officials anticipate his making a full recovery and being ready for the start of the season.
“We expect him to be fine,” manager Pete Mackanin said Friday.
Eickhoff, 25, suffered the injury eight days ago while doing a bunting drill. An X-ray showed a small, non-displaced fracture.
“It’s nothing serious,” Eickhoff said.
Eickhoff has stopped throwing off a mound, but he is still playing catch. He will resume throwing off a mound when he can put more pressure on the thumb. All in all, the injury could push Eickhoff back a couple of weeks. He had already been ahead of schedule. He arrived in Clearwater on Feb. 1 and had already begun throwing bullpen sessions.
Eickhoff thinks he will be ready for the start of the season.
“We have a lot of time to get it 100 percent,” he said.
MLB
Eickhoff was acquired from Texas in July as part of the Cole Hamels trade. He made eight starts with the Phillies last season and was 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA. Earlier this winter, Mackanin penciled Eickhoff into the rotation along with Charlie Morton, Jeremy Hellickson and Aaron Nola. The Phillies have at least one spot open in the rotation.
Speaking of Nola, he will be one of eight pitchers to throw live batting practice on Saturday.