As expected, the Phillies on Thursday placed Jerad Eickhoff on the 10-day DL with a nerve irritation in his right hand.
Eickhoff, who exited his start Wednesday after allowing six runs in two innings, will have tests today to determine the cause of the issue. He felt numbness and tingling in his right hand Wednesday, which is sometimes a result of damage to the ulnar ligament in the elbow.
Eickhoff's average fastball velocity had been below 90 mph in six of his last nine starts. Prior to that, it was above 90 mph in all 56 starts with the Phillies.
Reliever Ricardo Pinto replaces Eickhoff on the Phillies' active roster, and a pitcher like Jake Thompson could replace Eickhoff in the rotation once rosters expand Friday.
Additionally, outfielders Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr (hamstring) will begin rehab assignments Thursday night with Double A Reading. Both could return to the Phillies as soon as this weekend, though early next week when the Phils are in New York seems more likely.
Once the two outfielders do return, manager Pete Mackanin will have to figure out how to divvy up playing time for Herrera, Altherr, Nick Williams, Rhys Hoskins and Tommy Joseph.