BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- Here's a Monday morning bombshell for y'all: Cole Hamels is returning to Philly to have his left elbow checked by team Dr. Michael Ciccotti.
According to Ruben Amaro Jr., Hamels has been experiencing "persistent soreness in his elbow," and "we thought it was important to check it out." Amaro said the discomfort typically manifests itself between innings when Hamels reported his elbow tends to tighten up. He threw 54 pitches (no curveballs) in a minor-league intrasquad game yesterday, and although pitching coach Rich Dubee said Hamels came through it OK, a decision evidently was made to send him to Philly.
Amaro said Hamels underwent an MRI exam on both his elbow and shoulder before he signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract extension in January. Amaro said Hamels won't have another MRI tomorrow, unless Ciccotti deems it necessary. For those who are wondering, Amaro said the soreness isn't in the same spot as the elbow strain that sidelined Hamels for nearly a month in 2007.
For now, the Phillies aren't panicking -- "I'm sure you'll make a lot more out of this than it is," Amaro said -- but clearly, it's alarming, given Hamels' stature. Regarding Hamels' scheduled start in the season-opener at the Bank on April 5, Amaro said "it's a possibility" that Hamels will have to be pushed back, although that determination won't be made until after he sees Ciccotti.
Meanwhile, Phillies fans hold their breath.
(Hamels is expected to meet reporters at about 11 a.m. Check back for more then.)
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While we wait for Hamels, and before we speed across the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Tampa, here's your lineup today against the Yankees:
SS Eric Bruntlett
3B Jason Donald
LF Raul Ibanez
1B Ryan Howard
CF Jayson Werth
DH Matt Stairs
RF Geoff Jenkins
2B Brad Harman
C Ronnie Paulino
RHP Kyle Kendrick
Also, the Phillies made 12 cuts today. RHP Drew Carpenter, RHP Drew Naylor, LHP Sergio Escalona and RHP Scott Nestor were optioned to minor-league camp, while LHP Antonio Bastardo, RHP Blaine Neal, C Tuffy Gosewisch, C Paul Hoover, INF Mike Cervenak, INF J.J. Furmaniak, INF Jorge Velandia and INF Andy Tracy were re-assigned to minor-league camp.
2 comments:
Eeep, especially on the day Hagen writes a "Hamels is fine!" article in the DN.
I said from the beg of camp that there is something wrong with Hamels. Without Hamels our year is a lost; we dont have that number one we need. I still think we should have gotten Lowe.
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