Jerad Eickhoff will start the season on the disabled list, as he will be sidelined for six to eight weeks because of a strained back muscle.
The Phillies likely will fill Eickhoff’s rotation spot with Ben Lively or Zach Eflin. Eickhoff last pitched on March 9 and seemed to have lost a bit of command on his fastball when he allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Pirates. He said afterward that he was healthy.
Eickhoff was sidelined last season with back stiffness and later with nerve irritation in his throwing hand. Manager Gabe Kapler said this injury is a mild strain of Eickhoff’s lat muscle.