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

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

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.