"By all accounts, it was a pretty good day for Phillies' lefty Cole Hamels at Nationals Park on Saturday afternoon.

In fact, Hamels threw a light bullpen session under the watchful two eyes of pitching coach Rich Dubee and then adjourned back to the visitors' clubhouse to relax and read a book and then declared to the local press that he likely will make his return to the rotation next Friday night at Citizens Bank Park when the Phillies play the Marlins.

Hamels had been scheduled to start on Friday night, but was skipped in the rotation when an MRI revealed a little inflammation in his left shoulder. After a light workout Saturday, Hamels will throw again early next week before his return to the mound.

"It's good, especially when something is kinda bothering him and something is wrong," manager Charlie Manuel said. "When we can back him off and correct it, we'll get him well and keep him going.""