BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, regardless of the optimistic news from this morning about Cole Hamels, pitching coach Rich Dubee says Hamels is a "long shot" to start the season-opener April 5 at the Bank.
"I don't know that it's out of the question," Dubee said. "I think it would be a long shot. Just because we've got to get him up and running. We're going to have to stretch him out. I think he's been up to 54 pitches. And again, we'd like our guys, if they're going to pitch, to be ready to throw 100 pitches by the opening-day start. This guy has always risen to the occasion, and I think it's good we caught it when we did. It wasn't getting any worse, but it wasn't clearing up."
Because of the off-days early in the season, Dubee said the Phillies wouldn't necessarily have to replace Hamels in the rotation, assuming Hamels is back by mid-April. In other words, they could go with four starters until Hamels is ready to pitch.
Hamels was supposed to make a minor-league start Friday. That won't happen now. Dubee guessed Hamels could possibly be ready to start a game on Monday or Tuesday.
More in a bit.
1 comment:
It sure would be sad to see Hamels miss that opening day start... an honor he was snubbed of last year and completely earned this year. But if his health is an issue and he only misses 1-2 starts, then I guess its worth it.
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