BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- So, Cole Hamels will throw about 50 pitches in a minor-league game tomorrow at the Carpenter Complex, and we'll be there to bring you all the details. It's a significant step, to be sure, because it's the first time Hamels will pitch in a game since receiving that anti-inflammatory injection in his left elbow last Tuesday in Philly. But, surely, you're more interested in when Hamels will be ready to make his regular-season debut, right?
Well, it won't be on Opening Night.
Pitching coach Rich Dubee said as much after today's game. Last week, he said Hamels was a "long shot" to start the season-opener, and today, he downgraded those odds to a "very, very, very small shot." If everything goes well tomorrow, Dubee said Hamels will start again (and throw about 70 pitches) Sunday. After that, he'll toss about 90 pitches in one of the exhibition games against the Rays next weekend (April 3 or April 4) at the Bank. So, obviously, starting the April 5 season-opener against the Braves isn't a possibility.
"There's a good chance he won't pitch Opening Day," Dubee said. "It's a very, very, very small shot, if at all. But saying that isn't saying he can't pitch the fourth game of the season and not miss a start."
The fourth game of the season would be April 10 against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Mark your calendar.
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Thanks to everyone who weighed in today on our reader poll. As of this post, 48 percent of you think Brett Myers should start Opening Night, 42 percent want to see Jamie Moyer on the mound against the Braves, and 10 percent picked Joe Blanton. If you didn't vote, it's not too late. You can weigh in by clicking here.
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Programming note: You can now find me (and, by extension, Philled In) on Twitter. Join me there, won't you?
Talk to you tomorrow.
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