Quick Facts
Cancer
Biography
Eric Michael Surkamp (born July 16, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Oakland Athletics.
Amateur career
Surkamp attended North Carolina State University, where he played college baseball for the Wolfpack. In 2006 and 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.
Professional career
San Francisco Giants
In 2011, after going 10-4 with a 2.02 ERA in 22 starts for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Surkamp was called up to the majors for the first time on August 27, 2011. He allowed one run in six innings in his debut that day against the Houston Astros. In his second major league start, on September 6, he picked up his first major league win, giving up three runs in five innings in a 6–4 victory over the San Diego Padres. He finished the year with a 2-2 record and a 5.74 ERA.
Surkamp began 2012 on the disabled list with a flexor tendon strain. After a series of setbacks, on July 25, 2012, Surkamp underwent Tommy John surgery, which knocked him out for the entire 2012 season.
Surkamp began the 2013 season on the 60-day disabled list as he was still recovering from the Tommy John surgery, but was expected to return after the All-Star break. He appeared in just one game that season, pitching 2 ⁄3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds and giving up seven runs. In 11 starts for the AAA Fresno Grizzlies he was 7–1 with a 2.78 ERA.
Surkamp was designated for assignment by the Giants on December 19, 2013.
Chicago White Sox
Surkamp was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox on December 23, 2013. He appeared in 35 games as a reliever during the 2014 season with a 4.81 ERA.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On May 22, 2015, he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Blake Smith. He was assigned to the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers. On July 6, Surkamp had his contract purchased by the Dodgers and was called up to the majors. He pitched 3 ⁄3 innings in relief for the Dodgers in the game that night, allowing four earned runs. He was designated for assignment on July 8. He returned to AAA where he was 9–3 with a 3.57 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts).
Oakland Athletics
On December 13, 2015, Surkamp signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics. Though initially assigned to Triple-A, he was added to the 40-man roster and activated to replace an injured Félix Doubront in the A's starting rotation on April 8, 2016. He was designated for assignment on June 27, 2016.
Texas Rangers
Surkamp was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on June 29, 2016, and optioned to the Triple-A Round Rock Express.
Hanwha Eagles
On July 7, 2016, the Rangers released Surkamp to sign with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.