Breaking News: HAMELS CALLED UP

Just a few minutes ago, the Phillies made it official.

Cole Hamels will make his major-league debut Friday night in Cincinnati.

Finally.

Hamels was simply spectacular in three starts for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and, quite frankly, I'm not surprised. Last season, I saw him pitch for Class AA Reading, and I came away thinking he'll be a future ace in the majors. Pitching-wise, he was ready for the majors a while ago. The only question about Hamels is his health, and since spring training, when he learned how to manage a chronic back problem, his health hasn't been a concern.

One word of caution: Don't expect Hamels to come up and be the savior of this rotation. He's still only 22, and 22-year-olds tend to struggle a bit in their first few major-league seasons. In five seasons of covering the minors, the only pitchers I saw who were comparable to Hamels are Josh Beckett and Scott Kazmir, neither of whom were instant successes. Felix Hernandez, the wunderkind with the Seattle Mariners, also has struggled at times.

Of course, putting Hamels in the rotation means removing someone. The Phils have decided to return Ryan Madson to the bullpen, which, to me, is a move that should've been made in spring training. It's not that Madson can't be a good starter. He can, and he will. I predict he can be a 15-18-game winner as a major-league starter. But, right now, Madson is more valuable to the Phillies as a reliever. With Tom Gordon, Arthur Rhodes, Ryan Madson and Ryan Franklin, the back end of the bullpen looks much deeper -- and better. Manager Charlie Manuel said he's been looking for someone else to pitch eighth innings, and Madson is the perfect guy for the job.

So, for now, the starting rotation looks like this ...

Wednesday vs. Mets -- RHP Cory Lidle
Thursday vs. Mets -- RHP Gavin Floyd
Friday at Reds -- LHP Cole Hamels
Saturday at Reds -- RHP Jon Lieber
Sunday at Reds -- RHP Brett Myers

And the bullpen looks like this ...

Closer -- Tom Gordon
Setup men -- Arthur Rhodes, Ryan Madson, Ryan Franklin
Left-handed specialists -- Rheal Cormier, Aaron Fultz
Middle relief -- Julio Santana, Geoff Geary

Note: Before Hamels makes his start, the Phillies must make a roster move. I'll look into this more once I get to the ballpark, but since Geary doesn't have to clear waivers to be sent to Class AAA, I'm guessing that's what they'll do.

More later.