San Francisco Giants Upon signing with the Giants' organization in 2008, Surkamp was briefly assigned to the
rookie-level
Arizona League Giants. He appeared in just two games for them before getting promoted to the
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the
Single-A short season
Northwest League. Promoted to the Single-A Advanced
San Jose Giants of the
California League at the end of the year, Surkamp made two playoff starts for the team. On September 19, 2009, he started the third game of the California League Championship Series against the
High Desert Mavericks. Surkamp allowed three runs in the first two innings but settled down after that, striking out 12 batters over eight innings and earning the victory in San Jose's 4–3 win which clinched the league championship. Interviewed about the game at the beginning of the 2010 season, Surkamp said, "I think I just got comfortable in the game and was able to get into a groove. The adrenaline was pumping with it being a championship game. It was fun." In 2010, Surkamp remained with San Jose. He made 17 starts for the Giants, posting a 4–2 record, a 3.11 ERA, 108 strikeouts, 22 walks, and 79 hits allowed in innings. Recovered from the surgery by the beginning of the 2011 season, Surkamp was assigned to the
Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels of the
Eastern League. In 23 games (22 starts), he had a 10–4 record, a 2.02 ERA, 165 strikeouts, 44 walks, and 110 hits allowed in innings. After
Jonathan Sánchez suffered an ankle injury, 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. Facing the Padres in his next start six days later, he allowed three runs (two earned) in innings, earning the victory in an 8–3 win. However, after failing to complete five innings against the
Colorado Rockies on September 17, he struggled in his last two starts of the season, losing both of them. In six starts, he had a 2-2 record, a 5.74 ERA, 13 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 32 hits allowed in innings. He attempted to rehab at the Giants' minor league facility in Arizona, but his arm failed to regain the necessary strength. On July 24, Surkamp underwent
Tommy John surgery, which prevented him from pitching for the rest of the season. Surkamp began the 2013 season on the disabled list, as he was still recovering from the Tommy John surgery. He began his comeback in June with San Jose, posting a 2.93 ERA in five starts. Sent back to Fresno the next day, he was not recalled by the Giants when rosters expanded in September. Surkamp was
designated for assignment by the Giants on December 19 in order for the team to make room on the 40-man roster for
free-agent signees.
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. In 17 games (eight starts) for Hanwha, Surkamp had a 2–5 record, a 6.31 ERA, 36 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 54 hits allowed in innings. ==Pitching style==