CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Two days after introducing Jake Arrieta as their new staff ace, the Philadelphia Phillies suffered a hit to the middle of their starting rotation.
The Phillies said Friday that starter Jerad Eickhoff is expected to be out 6-8 weeks with a strained lat muscle and will begin the season on the disabled list. Eickhoff and Vince Velasquez were lined up to slot into the 3-4 spots in the team's rotation after Arrieta and Aaron Nola.
Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters at Spectrum Field that Eickhoff suffered the injury late in a 3-1/3 inning appearance against the Pirates on March 9.