Manager Pete Mackanin said Sunday that the Phillies still expect Eickhoff (thumb) to be ready to pitch during the first week of the season, CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff threw to hitters again Sunday and hopes to make his first spring training appearance by the end of this week. He suffered a small fracture in his right thumb on a bunt attempt on Feb. 11.

Eickhoff (thumb) faced hitters Thursday in a live batting practice session, the PhillyVoice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff could get into his first spring training game next week. He has been sidelined since the start of camp with a small displaced fracture in his thumb.

Eickhoff (thumb) expects to face hitters before the end of the week, the PhillyVoice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff has thrown a couple of bullpen sessions since he was briefly shut down last month. The Phillies think he will get enough work in this spring to be ready to pitch during the first week of the regular season.

Eickhoff (thumb) reported no problems Thursday after throwing a bullpen session, CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff said he still felt some minor discomfort in his thumb, but nothing that would stop him from throwing. He is expected to be ready to pitch during the first week of the regular season.

Eickhoff (thumb) could throw his first bullpen session of the spring before the weekend, the PhillyVoice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff has been sidelined with a small displaced fracture in his thumb. Manager Pete Mackanin said Eickhoff has been "progressing nicely." Despite the delayed start, the Phillies think he will be stretched out enough to pitch when the regular season begins.

Eickhoff (thumb) said his tentative plan is to throw off a mound within the next week, the PhillyVoice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff suffered a small fracture to his right thumb during a bunting drill last week. Manager Pete Mackanin said the injury will set Eickhoff back a little, but the team currently expects him to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Eickhoff suffered a small fracture on his right thumb, but thinks he will be fine to start the season, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff had been previously slated to open the season in the rotation, but this could change things. It mostly depends on when Eickhoff can return to the mound in spring training, as the Phillies aren't likely to trot him out without at least a few tune-up starts. Whenever he does return, he'll be trying to show that his 51 innings of 2.65 ERA and 1.039 WHIP in 2015 were no fluke.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Eickhoff will open next season in the Phillies' starting rotation, CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mackanin did qualify his statement, saying he didn't want to "etch anything in stone" this early, but it would take a very poor spring for Eickhoff to lose his spot. He was 3-3 with a 49:13 K:BB ratio in 51 innings with the Phillies last season.

Eickhoff was fantastic on Thursday, accumulating 10 strikeouts while going seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and one walk in a win over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old has been ridiculous over his last four starts, as he's gone seven innings in each while allowing just three runs in that span. The most impressive part is that Eickhoff has 33 strikeouts and only 17 hits allowed in that four-game stretch. Unfortunately for him, this was his last start of the season. With this success, he has likely secured a role in the starting rotation for next year and he'll be an intriguing fantasy option if he carries this momentum into next season.

Eickhoff allowed two runs on five hits, walking one and striking out 10 over seven innings of an 8-2 win against the Nationals on Friday night.

EDGE Analysis

Eickhoff (2-3, 3.07 ERA) has really impressed during his 2015 audition. He has notched quality starts in six of seven outings, and has been particularly sharp in his last three, striking out 23 in 21 innings. Playing for a poor team, he doesn't have the wins you would like to see, but he is solidifying his spot in the rotation for 2016.