Jun 10, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) leaves the game in the middle of the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets have signed free agent right-handed pitcher Jerad Eickhoff to a minor league deal, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Eickhoff, now 30 years old, was drafted by the Rangers in the 15th round of the 2011 draft, but after being traded in the Cole Hamels deal, made his major league debut with the Phillies in 2015. He posted a 4.15 ERA over five years with the Phillies, and spent 2020 with the Padres and Rangers organizations but didn’t pitch in a game.
The Mets will pay Eickhoff an extra $1.25 million if he makes the big league team with $750,000 in incentives, per Nightengale’s report. While he’s not a flashy option, he should still be a solid depth piece and could eat some innings out of the back of the rotation if he’s healthy and the Mets need him.
