BY SCOTT LAUBERST. LOUIS -- So, Cole Hamels will start Friday night against the Braves at the Bank. But Chase Utley won't start tonight here against the Cardinals.
First, the news on Hamels: He threw about 55 pitches in the bullpen today and felt fine. Then, he did several fielding drills, simulating fielding bunts, covering first base, etc., and felt fine. So, Hamels will make his next start. Talked with him a few minutes ago, and he said he will tape his sprained left ankle Friday night. But he also said he isn't concerned enough that his ankle will take away from his focus.
"I'm very happy with the way that I feel," Hamels said. "This bullpen felt a lot better than the last one [Saturday]. I'm comfortable on the mound again. I'm not really thinking of the injury. Running, doing the cuts, I didn't think about it. The tape around the ankle, it just secures all the movements so that I won't hurt it any other way or put it in a bad tweak situation."
Now, the news on Utley: He was hit on the right foot in the first inning last Friday night by Mets starter Mike Pelfrey. The bruised swelled up, and he didn't play last Saturday. He returned to the lineup last night and went 1-for-2 in the Phillies' 6-1 victory. But Charlie Manuel decided to hold him out of the lineup today when the bruise flared again.
Manuel said Utley may play tomorrow night in New York, but his status won't be determined until he gets to the ballpark. Utley hasn't undergone an MRI or any other diagnostic tests, and Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies will administer those tests only if the injury worsens.
More on both Hamels and Utley in tomorrow's News Journal. Meanwhile, here's the lineup for tonight against RHP Adam Wainwright:
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
LF Raul Ibanez
1B Ryan Howard
RF Jayson Werth
3B Pedro Feliz
2B Miguel Cairo
C Carlos Ruiz
RHP Brett Myers
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