Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Just three days after he elected free agency, veteran right-hander Jerad Eickhoff is officially back with the New York Mets and will be starting Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves.
Eickhoff was designated for assignment following his outing last Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. Late last week it was reported that he opted to test out the free agent market, and now he has been recalled and is back for his third stint with the team.
On the season, Eickhoff has struggled to the tune of a 4.96 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, five walks, nine strikeouts, and six home runs over just 16 innings pitched.
His defense hurt him during his fourth outing with the Mets, committing a trio of errors over the first two innings. As a result, he lasted just 3.2 innings after allowing seven runs, two earned, on six hits and three strikeouts.
In a corresponding roster move, the Mets have optioned INF Travis Blankenhorn and sent RHP Nick Tropeano back to Triple-A Syracuse. RHP Roel Ramirez has also been designated for assignment to make room on the roster.
Tropeano served as the Mets’ 27th man in Monday’s doubleheader with the Braves, but didn’t see any action. Blankenhorn has just three hits in fifteen at-bats with the big league club this season, but did smack his first career homer last weekend in Pittsburgh.
The Mets claimed Roel Ramirez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals last week. In just one appearance with Triple-A Syracuse he allowed a pair of solo home runs over just one inning pitched.
With the bullpen taxed from the doubleheader yesterday, the Mets are certainly hoping Eickhoff can provide them with length, and eat some innings out there for them tonight. If not, both Yennsy Diaz and Drew Smith are fresh and ready to roll out of the bullpen.
