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Phillies' Eickhoff will work on his change-up during offseason

MIAMI - The first six starts of Jerad Eickhoff's major-league career have provided the Phillies a bit of help when it comes to filling out their starting rotation for 2016.

MIAMI - The first six starts of Jerad Eickhoff's major-league career have provided the Phillies a bit of help when it comes to filling out their starting rotation for 2016.

The 25-year-old righthander has shown the ability to command his fastball to either side of the plate, flashed an above-average curveball and mixed in a solid slider. But a factor that will help dictate Eickhoff's ceiling, whether he down the road ends up a mid-to-back end of the rotation starter or a workhorse reliever, will be the development of his changeup.

An improved change-up could help Eickhoff better counter lefthanded batters, who through 64 at-bats have a .903 OPS against him. (Righthanded batters have recorded only a .451 OPS over 74 at-bats.)

"That's going to be, for me, his project for the winter," Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said.

Ask Eickhoff about his offseason plans, and he, too, mentions refining his change-up as his priority.

"Obviously refining the other pitches [too]," he said, "but I think the changeup, being able to throw it 3-2, bases loaded, any time I want, I think that's the biggest thing."

Through 37 innings in which he has recorded a 3.16 ERA, Eickhoff has thrown his change-up only about nine percent of the time. The pitch averages 84.76 m.p.h. compared to his fastball that averages 91.32 m.p.h., according to the PITCHf/x pitch-tracking system.

"My curveball plays well with those lefties right now," said Eickhoff, who next starts on Friday against the Nationals in Washington. "I have a usable change-up now, but getting that better is going to help things. No doubt."

Hinojosa contributing Aside from closer Ken Giles, the Phillies have a bevy of question marks in their bullpen as the front office looks ahead to next season.

While many in the group have struggled recently, little-known righthander Dalier Hinojosa has pitched well. The 29-year-old from Cuba was claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox in July. In 17 innings with the Phillies, he has a 1.06 ERA.

"Numbers matter, so you have to like what you see on paper," manager Pete Mackanin said. "I like the fact that he's aggressive. He attacks hitters, and he's not afraid to do that.

"Now, we've only seen, what, 17 innings out of him? But it's a good first impression."

Extra Bases

Both Maikel Franco (left wrist) and Ryan Howard (left knee) remain questionable to return to the field before season's end. According to Mackanin, Franco, who is still rehabbing at the team's Clearwater, Fla., facility, feels fine when he swings but still feels a "twinge" when he makes contact. ... Double-A Reading manager Dusty Wathan joined the Phillies in Miami and will spend the rest of the season on the coaching staff.