Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jerad Eickhoff will be rejoining the National League East.
The right-hander has signed a minor-league deal with the New York Mets, according to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale. Eickhoff will make a base salary of $1.25 million if he earns a spot in the majors, and can get up to $2 million total with incentives.
The 30-year-old was a member of the Phillies organization from 2015-2019, coming to the team from the Texas Rangers in a trade for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman. Eickhoff was effective for the Phillies early in his major-league career, posting a 3.44 ERA in the first 41 starts of his career in 2015 and 2016.
He battled injury over his next three seasons, and struggled to reach the same level he did at the beginning of his career. The Phillies ultimately let Eickhoff walk after the 2019 season.
Eickhoff then signed with the San Diego Padres on a minor-league deal last winter. He was called up in August, but never got into a game for the major-league team before being sent back down and later released. He then signed a minor-league deal to return to the Rangers organization.
Eickhoff will go to the Mets looking to play in the major leagues for the first time since June of 2019.