Jerad

Eickhoff

Eickhoff hasn’t appeared in the majors since getting pulverized for 10 runs over 4 1/3 innings last June in a spot start for the Pirates. The 32-year-old journeyman right-hander is merely emergency pitching depth at this stage of his career.

The 32-year-old spent most of the season in Triple-A and was crushed by the Cubs in his one game with the Pirates this year. In 4 1/3 innings, he allowed 10 runs to score while striking out just four batters. Eickhoff showed promise with the Phillies earlier in his career and will look to sign a minor-league deal this offseason.

Eickhoff was crushed for 10 runs over 4 1/3 innings last week in a spot start against the Cubs and was designated for assignment shortly thereafter. The 31-year-old righty passed through waivers unclaimed and will remain with the Pirates as organizational pitching depth.

The move comes a couple days after Eickhoff was obliterated for 10 runs over 4 1/3 innings in a spot start against the Cubs. Austin Brice is taking his spot on the roster.

Incredibly, Eickhoff also gave up 10 earned runs in his previous major league outing last July 27. In a span of about 1,600 games, just three pitchers since had allowed 10 earned runs in an outing. Eickhoff, though, has done it twice in a row. That’s both unfortunate and rather amazing.

Eickhoff will start for the Bucs on Wednesday night against the Cubs. The 31-year-old righty had pitched to a 4.84 ERA in 48 1/3 innings this season at the Triple-A level and probably shouldn’t be a fantasy streaming consideration. Heath Hembree was designated for assignment in a corresponding roster move.

The Pirates need a replacement starter for Wednesday’s series finale against the Cubs with Zach Thompson (forearm) landing on the injured list earlier this week and it looks like it’s going to be Eickhoff. The 31-year-old righty made five underwhelming appearances (four starts) last year for the Mets. He’s not a recommended streaming option for fantasy managers.

Zero surprises here as the Pirates continue to pare down their spring roster in advance of Opening Day later this week.

Eickhoff has been injured and largely ineffective for five years now, but he picked the right team if he hopes to get another opportunity in the majors. Last year, he gave up nine homers and 24 runs (19 earned) in 19 2/3 innings for the Mets.

The deal presumably includes an invite to spring training. Eickhoff posted an ugly 8.69 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and 13/10 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings (five appearances, four starts) with the Mets this past season. Despite that, he’s a possible rotation option for Pittsburgh.