Eric Surkamp

Chicago White Sox Surkamp was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox on December 23, 2013. He was optioned to the Charlotte Knights of the Triple-A International League on March 19, before the season. On June 26, he was recalled when Scott Downs was designated for assignment. With Chicago, he was used exclusively as a relief pitcher. On August 9, he entered a game against the Seattle Mariners with one out in the ninth inning, got Kyle Seager to hit into a double play, and earned the win when Chicago scored in the tenth and held on for a 2–1 victory. Optioned to Charlotte the next day, he was recalled on August 16 when Charles Leesman was designated for assignment. After pitching in just three games, he was again optioned to Charlotte on August 22 when Javy Guerra was reinstated from the bereavement list, but Surkamp was recalled for the remainder of the season on September 2. Prior to September, Surkamp had posted a 6.91 ERA in 23 major league games, but he posted a 1.80 ERA in 11 September appearances. Optioned to Charlotte while still on the disabled list, he was designated for assignment on April 26 so the White Sox could purchase Scott Carroll's contract. Outrighted to Charlotte, he made 11 appearances (one start) for the team in 2015, posting a 3–0 record, a 2.81 ERA, 30 strikeouts, nine walks, and 19 hits allowed in innings. On July 6, Surkamp had his contract purchased by the Dodgers; reporter Jon Weisman speculated that the team planned to have him pitch long relief behind Yimi García, a relief pitcher making his first start that night in place of an injured Carlos Frías. After García threw the first two innings of that night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Surkamp pitched 3 innings in relief, allowing four earned runs, though Los Angeles ultimately won 10–7. That was his lone appearance before he was designated for assignment on July 8. Returning to Triple-A, he spend the rest of the year in the Pacific Coast League. In 16 appearances (15 starts) for Oklahoma City, he had a 9–3 record, a 3.57 ERA, 70 strikeouts, 23 walks, and 97 hits allowed in innings pitched. Not on the 40-man roster, he began the season with the minor league Nashville Sounds. However, Athletics starter Félix Doubront injured himself in the final game of spring training, and Surkamp was recalled on April 8 to take his spot in the starting rotation. In his first MLB start since 2013, he allowed two runs in innings on April 8, receiving a no decision in a 3–2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. After four starts, he was sent to Nashville on April 25 because, due to off days, the Athletics only needed four starters and wanted to add another relief pitcher. Called up on May 11, Surkamp made another start, allowing four runs in innings in a 13–3 loss to the Boston Red Sox before being optioned to Nashville again on May 17 when Jesse Hahn was recalled. He was called up for a third time on May 31 to take Zach Neal's spot in the rotation. "He’s done well at times here...When we talk about pitching depth, he’s definitely one of the guys we consider in that mix as far as starters go," said manager Bob Melvin. Two days later, he was again optioned to Nashville. He made three starts on this stint, losing the first two. In the third, against the Los Angeles Angels on June 24, he allowed four runs (two earned) in innings, receiving a no decision, though the Athletics won 7–4. The next day, he was sent to Nashville for the last time, as Dillon Overton was recalled. Surkamp was designated for assignment on June 27. On July 7, the Rangers released Surkamp so that he could sign with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. Used as a starter for a little over a month, he was then moved to the bullpen after posting an 0–3 record.

Personal life After his MLB career, Surkamp completed a Bachelor of Science in Business from NC State. He then became a realtor for Comey & Shepherd in the Cincinnati area.