Mar. 17 -- GOOD NEWS FOR HAMELS; STILL MAY MISS OPENER

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, with the Phillies taking batting practice, media relations director Greg Casterioto just popped his head in the press box and said the team got good news this morning on Cole Hamels. There is no structural damage to Hamels' left elbow. No word on whether Hamels had an MRI exam, got a cortisone shot, etc. Ruben Amaro Jr. is in a staff meeting, but he's expected to brief the media shortly.

(Updated, 11:18 a.m.): Just spoke to Amaro. Evidently, Hamels underwent an MRI exam and an ultrasound this morning in Philly. Neither test revealed any structural damage. There is, however, inflammation in the posterior lateral aspect of Hamels' elbow joint, as the Phillies' training staff suspected. So, Hamels had an injection, similar to a cortisone shot. He won't throw for two days (today and tomorrow), then he'll resume a long-toss program Thursday at the Complex.

It's possible Hamels could still start Opening Day, although the Phillies won't have any real idea about that until Hamels resumes throwing off a mound.

"He'll start for the Phillies at the major-league level when he's ready to start," Amaro said. "If it's Opening Day, it's Opening Day. If it's some time beyond that, then that's when it'll be. He'll let us know what the pace is, and we'll monitor his progress."

So, what causes this inflammation that Hamels experiences every spring, and why did it linger this year? Is it related to the sharp increase in innings pitched by Hamels last season?

"I think there's a multitude of reasons," head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said. "Certainly, you're going to look at the innings. You're going to look at all kinds of things. The fact of the matter is it's there, and we've got to do something about it. There's no need to speculate on why."

Amaro joked that it was perhaps appropriate that Hamels got examined on St. Patty's Day. "Luck of the Irish helped, I guess," he said.

"It's pretty much the scenario that we thought going in," Amaro said. "It is relatively good news. Any time you have to have some type of procedure, it's of some concern. But it is pretty good news."