The Mets have selected the contract of right-hander Jerad Eickhoff. Outfielder Mason Williams was designated for assignment to create space on the 26-man and 40-man rosters.
Eickhoff signed a minor league deal in December that will now pay him $1.5M for reaching the big league roster. The righty (who turns 31 in July) has spent his entire MLB career in the NL East, having pitched with the Phillies from 2015-19 and initially looking like he could be a solid member of the rotation. Injuries overshadowed Eickhoff’s last three years in Philadelphia, however, and after being cut loose by the team, he inked minors contracts with the Padres and Rangers in 2020 but didn’t see any big league action.
After a doubleheader against the Nationals yesterday and another doubleheader set for Monday against the Braves, the Mets will give Eickhoff a quick opportunity to take the ball. Eickhoff could receive a start in one of Monday’s two games, unless he is needed for relief duty today against Washington. Since New York has yet another doubleheader coming up on Friday against the Phillies, Eickhoff might find himself in line for another outing over that weekend series against his old team. Joey Lucchesi just went on the 10-day IL, leaving the Mets a little shorthanded for pitching depth during this busy week.
Williams hit .212/.297/.333 in 37 plate appearances after his contract was selected by New York in late May. Once a top prospect coming up in the Yankees’ farm system, Williams has only played sparingly over parts of seven MLB seasons with the Yankees, Reds, Orioles, and this year’s action with the Mets.
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