Cole Hamels News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

February 11

CSN Philly

"From Roy Halladay to Cliff Lee, the Phillies have made some tremendous additions in recent seasons. Here's another one: Cole Hamels' cutter. Hamels added the pitch to his repertoire after a disappointing 2009 season and it has clearly made a difference. According to www.fangraphs.com, a baseball statistics and analysis Website, Hamels threw a fastball 59 percent of the time in 2009, while adding a changeup 30 percent of the time and a curveball 10 percent. His opponents' batting average that season was a plump .273. That ranked 60th in the majors. After consultations with everyone from Lee to Steve Carlton to pitching coach Rich Dubee and others, Hamels worked on a cutter -- a pitch that"

Hamels, Phils agree to 1-year, $15M deal

January 18

Courier-Post

"The Phillies avoided arbitration with Cole Hamels on Tuesday, and the two sides continue to look toward a possible long-term agreement. Hamels agreed to a one-year, $15-million contract to avoid arbitration in advance of Tuesday's deadline to exchange salary figures with the team, a move GM Ruben Amaro Jr. views as the groundwork for a long-term contract rather than a short-term solution."

Phils agree to one-year, $15M deal with Hamels

January 17

CSN Philly

"The Phillies have avoided arbitration with Cole Hamels, agreeing to a one-year, $15 million deal with the veteran left-hander, and infielder Wilson Valdez. Hamels went 14-9 with a 2.79 ERA last season, when he earned $9.5 million. In six major league seasons, the two-time all-star is 74-54 with a 3.39 ERA and 10 complete games."

Phils focused on one-year deal for Hamels

January 11

CSN Philly

"The Phillies have long been a club that likes to lock up young, core players and keep them off the free-agent market. At 28, Cole Hamels fits that description. In fact, Phillies officials have commented that they'd like to keep the left-hander in red pinstripes for years to come. But it does not appear as if Hamels, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, will get a long-term contract extension this winter."

Phils taking their time on Rollins, Hamels

December 11

Courier-Post

"In the first three years of his tenure as Phillies general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr. quickly established himself as the most interesting man of baseball's annual winter meetings. Some years, Amaro's goals were obvious. In others – like last winter – he flew a tad under the radar. But regardless of the spectacle, the seeds were always set for a blockbuster. So, what are fans to make of Amaro's four days in Dallas this week that amounted to virtually nothing of substance? In truth, the biggest moves of the offseason were attended to well before last week's summit of general managers, agents, players and front office executives."

Amaro downplays talk of trading Hamels

November 17

CSN Philly

"Could the Phillies trade Cole Hamels? That has been one of the hot questions posed by media members at these general managers meetings, and Ruben Amaro Jr. understands why. "They're only writing it because it happened before," the Phils' GM said Wednesday. He was referring to his trading of Cliff Lee in Dec. 2009. Amaro re-signed the lefthander as a free agent a year later."

Pitching, not future, Hamels' top concern

November 16

MLB.com

"Phillies fans had numerous reactions to closer Jonathan Papelbon's $50,000,058 contract, which he signed on Monday. One of the most relevant: How does this affect Cole Hamels? The simple answer is the Phils do not make major decisions like this in a vacuum, so it is unlikely that Hamels' future with the organization took a significant hit with Papelbon's deal. Hamels made $9.5 million in 2011 and is eligible for salary arbitration one final time before he can become a free agent following the '12 season. The Phillies have expressed interest in signing Hamels to a multiyear contract extension but said they have had no serious negotiations with the left-hander yet. Hamels on Tuesday night"

A deal for Hamels looms large

October 19

CSN Philly

"While Jimmy Rollins' free agent future has stolen the headlines and Ryan Madson's potential departure looms large as well, the most important offseason call the Phillies need to make is Cole Hamels. To be clear, Hamels is not a free agent. He is arbitration eligible. That means that if the Phils can't work out a long-term deal with him this offseason, they still have him in the fold for 2012. But if they can't work out a long-term deal with him, do they consider a trade? And what will Hamels' asking price be? Let's look at this from Hamels' perspective. While Jered Weaver is comparable statistically and Weaver signed a five-year, $85 million contract to remain in Anaheim this year, if you"

Francisco, Hamels deliver in clutch

October 5

Courier-Post

"The Phillies had done nothing against the Cardinals and Jaime Garcia. Shut out, shut down and going nowhere. So there was Ben Francisco, the long-forgotten Phillie, hitting a ball into the St. Louis dusk, a three-run blast into the Phillies' bullpen. It was a shot so sudden that Shane Victorino, who was on second base, said to himself as he watched the ball pass over his head: "I was hoping that it gets in the gap, that nobody catches it." Nobody did. Fittingly for the Phillies, that is where it all began in their heart-palpitating, 3-2 win over the Cardinals in Game 3 of the NLDS on Tuesday, giving the Phillies a 2-1 edge in the series and putting the Cardinals on the brink of"

Hamels out to be silencer for Phils in Game 3

October 4

CSN Philly

"During the 2004 postseason, Curt Schilling, then with the Boston Red Sox, recalled a conversation that he'd had with Terry Mulholland when the two were Phillies teammates a decade earlier. According to Schilling, Mulholland said that "the awesome thing about being a starting pitcher is you have the ability to make 55,000 people shut up when you're on the road." Cole Hamels gets the opportunity to be a silencer Tuesday night when he starts Game 3 of the National League Division Series against lefty Jaime Garcia and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium."

Hamels takes mound as Phillies attempt to regain control of series

October 4

Courier-Post

"The air of invincibility lasted just two games. Cliff Lee had a lead, and it disappeared. The Phillies had home-field advantage, and it was erased. The Cardinals were on the brink of a nearly insurmountable deficit, and now, Tony LaRussa said, they're feeling awfully good about their chances of upsetting the heavily favored Phillies. "The most important thing was (Game 2) created a series," LaRussa said after a light workout Monday. "I mean, we go down 0-2, as optimistic as we are, that's a big, big hole. So it just got us excited.""

Hamels, Phils' big inning too much for Brewers

September 9

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Remember that incredible Miller Park magic? Neither do the Milwaukee Brewers. OK, maybe things haven't gotten that bad yet. But the same home field on which the Brewers seemingly have gotten most every break for much of this season has suddenly become disturbingly hospitable for visiting teams. The National League-leading Philadelphia Phillies rode a complete game from starter Cole Hamels and a six-run sixth inning keyed by a questionable call by first-base umpire Angel Hernandez to beat the Brewers, 7-2, Thursday night in front of a sellout crowd of 41,646. It was the fourth consecutive home loss for the Brewers, who saw their National League Central lead drop to eight games over the idle"

Phillies down Reds in Hamels' return to mound

August 30

CSN Philly

"Shane Victorino spoke for an entire organization and legions of Phillies fans after the team's 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. "Hopefully we can keep that Cole the rest of the way," he said. Victorino's two-run homer in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie and helped propel the Phillies to their majors-best 84th victory, but the story of this night was Cole Hamels, and the smile on his face after the game, not to mention his efficient work on the mound, made it a feel-good story. Hamels had been sidelined for 17 days with shoulder inflammation that eventually landed him on the disabled list. There is always some uncertainty and apprehension whenever a pitcher returns to the"

Phillies down Reds in Hamels' return to mound

August 30

CSN Philly

"Shane Victorino spoke for an entire organization and legions of Phillies fans after the team's 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. "Hopefully we can keep that Cole the rest of the way," he said. Victorino's two-run homer in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie and helped propel the Phillies to their majors-best 84th victory, but the story of this night was Cole Hamels, and the smile on his face after the game, not to mention his efficient work on the mound, made it a feel-good story. Hamels had been sidelined for 17 days with shoulder inflammation that eventually landed him on the disabled list. There is always some uncertainty and apprehension whenever a pitcher returns to the"

A most important start for Hamels, Phils on Monday

August 29

CSN Philly

columnist Jim Salisbury

"Cole Hamels returns to the mound for the first time in 17 days on Monday night as the Phillies open a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Hamels has not started since Aug. 12 when he had trouble getting his fastball over 90 mph in a 4-2 loss to Washington. The lefthander was treated for tightness and fatigue in his left shoulder shortly after that start and he eventually ended up on the disabled list. Fears of an injury were first eased by a clean MRI and later on Tuesday when Hamels had a bullpen workout that pitching coach Rich Dubee called "absolutely fantastic." You could make a case that this is the most important start that any Phillies pitcher"

The news is actually good on Phils' Hamels

August 24

CSN Philly

"Charlie Manuel is not a doctor, but he's starting to play one on TV. Every day seems to bring another health update, or word of another injury, in Manuel's daily pregame meeting with reporters. Tuesday's list of ailments was so lengthy that Manuel had to wave in help from the bullpen and let general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. finish it off. The short version: Reliever Jose Contreras' season is over. The righthander, limited to just 17 games by a sore elbow, is headed for exploratory surgery in California. Amaro said Contreras may have some loose fragments in his elbow, or possibly a problem with his flexor tendon. The Phillies are hoping for a quick and easy surgical fix that will allow"

Phillies place Hamels on DL, recall Orr

August 23

CSN Philly

"The Phillies have placed lefthander Cole Hamels on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, and have recalled infielder/outfielder Pete Orr from Triple A Lehigh Valley to fill his spot on the roster. Hamels will be eligible to come off the DL on Sunday. Currently, the Phillies are listing him as their scheduled starter for Monday's game in Cincinnati."

Hamels eyeing Friday return vs. Fish

August 21

CSN Philly

"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"

Hamels probably out another week

August 20

Courier-Post

"Cole Hamels will throw off a mound today, but he's still likely a week away from getting into a game. Kyle Kendrick was scheduled to get today's start - what would have been Hamels' turn in the rotation - but was forced into action Friday after a lengthy rain delay scrapped Roy Oswalt's outing. Hamels will throw what Dubee described as "a light bullpen" session today. Hamels hasn't pitched since Aug. 12, when his fastball lacked zip and his shoulder was sore. An MRI two days later revealed inflammation in the shoulder, but no structural damage. Hamels downplayed the severity, and chalked up any extra rest to the exam shaking up his normal schedule. "Everything looked"

Hamels on track to return next week

August 19

MLB.com

"Left-hander Cole Hamels is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday in Washington. He remains on course to rejoin the rotation next week after missing a start because of inflammation in his left shoulder. "He's been progressing really well," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "Cole likes to joke with me. He said, 'Oh, it's falling off.' We're not going to rush these guys back. There's no reason to rush him back." Amaro added that third baseman Placido Polanco, who is on the disabled list with a sports hernia, could possibly rejoin the team next week as well."

Hamels to miss next start; Polanco goes on DL

August 17

CSN Philly

"Cole Hamels did indeed have a precautionary MRI on Monday for his shoulder, which showed some inflammation but no structural damage. According to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Hamels has some inflammation in posterior shoulder and his posterior rotator cuff and will miss his next start. The good news, however, is that the Phils' lefty won't be hitting the disabled list. While Hamels will miss one start, Amaro was unsure if he'll miss any more. "He actually is very good," Amaro said. "He has some inflammation in his posterior shoulder and his posterior rotator cuff, but no major changes." Hamels threw only five innings in his last start, a loss to Washington on Friday and"

Source: Hamels has precautionary MRI on shoulder

August 16

CSN Philly

"Phillies starter Cole Hamels underwent a precautionary MRI Monday on his pitching shoulder, a source told CSN's Leslie Gudel. After Hamels' last start, in which he lasted only five innings in a loss Friday to Washington, manager Charlie Manuel said Hamels felt stiffness in his shoulder. The left-hander chalked it up to a dead-arm start, which happens over the course of a long season. "It was just one of those things where I wasn't able to get loosened up," Hamels said after the game. "It's that time of the year where you're a little fatigued a little bit and battle through it and move on to the next game.""

Hamels fine, six-man rotation a possibility

August 14

Allentown Morning Call

"Relax, Cole Hamels admirers and pitching-savvy fans. The Phillies left-hander, who left after five innings of Friday night's home loss to the Nationals, likely has a tired arm, something that is common at this time of year for pitchers, even the perceived brittle Hamels. No threat of a stint on the disabled list; not even a missed start. "Right now, that's what we think it is," said Phils pitching coach Rich Dubee before Saturday night's game at Citizens Bank Park. "The funny thing is, he warmed up in San Francisco [earlier this month] and he said, 'Boy, my army is heavy.' So we just talked about angling the ball and he goes out and he pitches a gem. "Then his side session in between then"

Manuel, Dubee unconcerned by Hamels' ineffective outing

August 14

Wilmington News Journal

"It's a delicate balance for a pitching staff that craves innings, such as the Phillies' starting rotation. Three Phillies starters lead the National League in innings pitched -- Roy Halladay (1752¼3), Cole Hamels (172) and Cliff Lee (172). But, with a likely postseason looming and a World Series title within range, how many is too many? That question surfaced after Hamels' control and velocity were compromised in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. On Saturday, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee didn't seem concerned, saying, "Guys go through stretches like that." Dubee attributed Hamels' ineffectiveness to the length of the season, travel and"

Hamels hit with shoulder stiffness in loss to Nats

August 13

Allentown Morning Call

"A few second span during the second inning summed up Cole Hamels' night. With Laynce Nix coming around to score from second base on Rick Ankiel's single, Hamels stood frozen near the mound. The left-hander waited far too long to attempt to back up catcher Carlos Ruiz at home. It wasn't until until Shane Victorino's throw had nearly reached home when Hamels was crossing the foul line between third and home. Had the ball skidded past Ruiz, it would have created even bigger problems than just the two-run inning that was key in the Phillies' 4-2 loss to the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night. OK, so that embarrassing moment didn't happen. But at least for a few moments, manager"

Hamels labors, Livan shines in Phils loss to Nats

August 13

CSN Philly

"It happens to most pitchers over the course of a long season. Sometimes it feels as though they can't get the arm loose or maybe they rear back to fire a fastball past a hitter and the giddy-up isn't there. It's kind of like a car when it spins its wheels or a runner stuck in the mud. Cole Hamels said he knew it was one of those games on his first pitch in Friday night's 4-2 defeat to the Washington Nationals at the Bank. Pitchers call it the "dead arm start," which makes it sound bad or at least worse than the subpar digits posted during that particular start of the season. But really it's nothing more than some in-season fatigue that comes from throwing a baseball nearly every day since"

A day after fight, Cole Hamels pacifies SF Giants

August 7

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Bruce Jenkins

"There are times when there's nothing like an old-fashioned scrap to awaken a floundering team. It's not quite as effective as a string of three-run homers, but at least it brings everyone together for a common cause. Nasty verbal exchanges, a few punches thrown, everyone racing to the scene - as crude as it sounds, it has been known to trigger a fresh, winning spirit. Privately, the Giants hoped to gain that sort of benefit from Friday night's brawl against the Phillies, but there's a good way to stop such a madcap strategy: Send someone like Cole Hamels out to the mound the next day. In the land of garlic fries, moving masts and constant sellouts, it was hard to recall a more masterful"

Oswalt's return may give Hamels a rest

August 3

Courier-Post

"Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said he has a plan for his rotation this weekend in San Francisco, but he's not ready to reveal it. Roy Oswalt, who pitched six solid innings in a rehab start Monday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, is expected to be activated and start against the Giants. His normal day to pitch would be Saturday -- but that would be Cole Hamels' day to pitch, too. So, who will get the extra rest? "Probably, if you really want to look at it, more so Cole because of his workload," Dubee said. "But (Oswalt) has had an accelerated workload to get back here." While Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay have enjoyed an extra day off between starts 10 times each this season, Hamels has only"

Bats, defense can't back up Hamels in Phils' loss

July 28

CSN Philly

"This game felt a lot like last year's National League Championship Series, without the cool weather, of course. The San Francisco Giants beat the Phillies in a close one. Giants' right-hander Matt Cain pitched deep into the game and did not allow an earned run. Giants' lefty reliever Javier Lopez got some big outs. Their closer, Brian Wilson, the guy with the weird beard, got the save. The Phillies did little with runners in scoring position. It all added up to a 2-1 loss for the Phils at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night. Cain got the win, just as he did in Game 3 of last year's NLCS when he pitched seven shutout innings against the Phils. This time he allowed just one unearned run in"

Phillies beat the heat, Padres with a cool Cole

July 23

Allentown Morning Call

"Neither one of the hottest days in Philadelphia history nor the San Diego Padres bothered Cole Hamels on Friday night. Cole kept things cool with eight masterful innings of three-hit ball and the Phillies opened a 10-game home stand with a 3-1 win over their favorite whipping boys from the West Coast. It was Philly's fifth win in as many games against San Diego this season and eighth straight dating back to last season. With his 12th win, Hamels now has as many wins as he had all of last season and he was never better than in striking out 10 Padres, including seven during his first turn through the lineup. He was just what his teammates, coaches, manager, fans, umpires, ushers — everybody"

Hamels hit hard in loss

July 17

PhillyBurbs.com

"Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels bowed his head in disgust for his exit stage left late Saturday afternoon, a fifth-inning hook that ended one of his worst outings ever. His slow walk from the Citi Field mound to the third-base dugout became music to the ears of Mets fans, who serenaded the All-Star left-hander with the same word that he infamously dubbed their team after New York's 2008 NL East collapse. "Choke, choke, choke, choke, choke." This wasn't that, just another loss to the ballclub that Hamels struggles most against, this one an 11-2 Mets clobbering of the Phillies on national television. These season-high seven runs Hamels allowed over 4 1/3 innings raised his 15-start career ERA"

Hamels gets rocked in Phillies' ugly loss to Mets

July 17

CSN Philly

"Ryan Howard sat in a chair in the clubhouse and stared blankly into his locker for several minutes after Saturday's 11-2 loss to the New York Mets. He barely moved except to fold his hands in front of his face. Clearly disappointed, he kept staring a hole through the back of his locker before rising to take a shower and wash off the residue of a difficult day at work. You don't think these guys care when they play a terrible ball game? You didn't see Howard after this one. "I'm just upset," he said, softly. "It was a bad game." Howard cost starting pitcher Cole Hamels a run in the first inning when he let a pop-up drop untouched in the infield. That botched pop-up, ruled a hit, was the"

Mets hammer Hamels, as usual

July 17

Courier-Post

"Ryan Howard and Chase Utley vied for position along the infield grass until the first baseman called for the catch. Amid the cacophony of a raucous New York crowd, however, Howard thought he heard his teammate yell for the ball, too. Howard backed off the pop fly, which dropped with a thud between the two infielders, as Scott Hairston sprinted around third base to score the Mets' first run. Just four batters into the game, Cole Hamels said he hadn't established any rhythm to be disrupted by the bungled play, and the lefty quickly retired the next batter to end the inning. And so it was Saturday that Howard's blunder proved to be a harbinger of an ugly afternoon in which the defense played"

Cole Hamels suffering from poison oak

July 9

Foxsports.com

columnist Ken Rosenthal

"For a guy in extreme discomfort, Phillies All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels pitched pretty well while suffering from poison oak on both his legs. Hamels told FOXSports.com Friday night that he contracted poison oak while fishing on teammate Roy Oswalt's property in Unionville, Mo., during an off-day on June 20. He made two starts in pain against the Athletics and Red Sox before his condition finally eased prior to his most recent start against the Marlins. "It felt like razor blades on the back of my legs every time I'd take a step," Hamels said. Utility man Ross Gload — who, like Hamels, wore shorts during the Phillies' fishing expedition — also came down with poison oak. Oswalt, who wore"

Hamels to start Tuesday vs. Marlins

July 4

CSN Philly

"Phillies lefthander Cole Hamels, who was forced out Thursday's game against the Boston Red Sox, will make his next scheduled start Tuesday in Florida, according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. Hamels, in his last start, was struck by a line drive in the fourth inning off the bat of slugger Adrian Gonzalez. Hamels was able to record the out and finish off the rest of the inning, but he did not return in the fifth inning."

Polanco, Halladay, Hamels, Lee named All-Stars

July 4

CSN Philly

"The Phillies will send four players, and possibly five, to the All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix. The bulk of the all-star rosters were announced Sunday afternoon. Placido Polanco was voted by the fans as the National League starting third baseman. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels were all selected to be on the NL's pitching staff. Centerfielder Shane Victorino is still in the running for a berth on the NL roster. He is one of five NL players under consideration for the Final Vote, which is selected by fans in on-line balloting that runs until Tuesday afternoon. Notable Phillies to be left off the NL roster include Ryan Howard, who ranks second in the league in RBIs with 67, and"

Hamels sure he'll be ready for next start

July 2

Courier-Post

"Cole Hamels had a wrap around his swollen right hand and a smile on his face Friday. He was upbeat because he felt confident he could make his next start Tuesday, although he added that he would leave that up to the Phillies' medical staff. Hamels took a line drive off the bottom of his right -- non-throwing -- hand, just below his glove Thursday during the Phillies' 5-2 loss to the Red Sox. Hamels finished the fourth inning but didn't return for the fifth. He said he wanted to stay in the game, but Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee wasn't taking any chances. X-rays taken after the game did not show a fracture, which Hamels said he expected. "I knew when it hit that it hit"

Hamels upbeat, Rollins' shoulder sore

July 2

CSN Philly

"Cole Hamels was upbeat and smiling on Friday, the day after being forced from the game shortly after taking a bruising line drive off the base of his right hand, just below the bottom edge of his glove. If demeanor and body language are accurate indicators of the future, you can expect Hamels to make his next scheduled start Tuesday in Miami. "In my mind I [expect to pitch], but [team medical personnel] know best," the pitcher said. Hamels threw before Friday's game against the Blue Jays. A team trainer caught the return throws. More will be known about Hamels' status for Tuesday's start when he throws a bullpen session on Saturday. "A lot of it depends on if I'm able to throw a"

Hamels dinged as Phils drop finale to Red Sox

July 1

CSN Philly

"There are breaks and then there are lucky breaks. For the Phillies in Thursday afternoon's 5-2 defeat to the Boston Red Sox at the Bank, no break just might be the luckiest of all. Cole Hamels was hit in the fourth inning by a line drive batted by slugger Adrian Gonzalez, and though Hamels recorded the out and stayed in the game to get the last out of the frame, the Phils' lefty did not return for the fifth. The good news? Hamels was not seriously injured. At least that's what the team announced in relaying the information that X-rays returned negative and that Hamels suffered only a contusion. Still, figuring that Phils' players have been dropping like flies, the team was quick to"

Cole Hamels leaves game with right-hand contusion

June 30

LehighValleyLive.com

"Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starting pitcher Cole Hamels left this afternoon's game against the Boston Red Sox with a right-hand contusion after pitching four innings. Hamels was hit by a line drive of the bat of the Red Sox's Adrian Gonzalez in the fourth. Hamels was examined on the field after the play, but finished the inning. X-rays were negative, and Hamels is expected to make his next start at Florida July 5."

Hamels leaves hurt after being hit by liner

June 30

Allentown Morning Call

"The Phillies are holding their breath right now. In the fourth inning, Cole Hamels was hit in the right hand (his glove hand) with a line drive off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez. Trainers, pitching coach Rich Dubee and manager Charlie Manuel went to check on the left-hander. He stayed in the game and retired Dustin Pedroia for the final out of the inning, but was replaced by reliever David Herndon in the top of the fifth. Hamels has a bruise on his right hand. X-Rays were negative and it was reported to the press box that he is expected to make his next start. The Phillies already have two starting pitchers on the disabled list (Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt). In all this season, the Phils have"

Vargas tames Phils, outduels Hamels

June 20

Courier-Post

"Jason Vargas had accomplished everything he needed to in his start against the Phillies. What he wanted most was to finish the game. Vargas, left in to close out the ninth inning, tossed a three-hitter for his second shutout of the season, outdueling Cole Hamels while leading the Seattle Mariners to a 2-0 victory Sunday. Vargas (5-4) not only kept pace with Hamels, he exceeded and outlasted him in his third career complete game. He allowed just two singles and six baserunners. After a two-out walk to Carlos Ruiz in the fourth, he retired the next 15 batters until Ryan Howard's two-out single in the ninth brought up Ben Francisco as the potential tying run. That's when manager Eric Wedge,"

Hamels back on the field, shows no signs of injury

June 16

CSN Philly

"Cole Hamels was on the field a couple of hours before Wednesday afternoon's game, stretching with his fellow pitchers and showing no aftereffects of the stiff back that forced him to leave Tuesday night's game in the eighth inning. After that game, Hamels said the issue was minor and he said he would make his next start, scheduled for Sunday in Seattle. He reiterated that sentiment on Wednesday, telling reporters there was no injury and he'd speak after his next start, Sunday in Seattle."

Hamels: Back OK, next start not in doubt

June 16

Courier-Post

"Twelve hours or so after he walked off the mound and into the dugout nursing a sore back, Cole Hamels wasn't particularly interested in fielding questions about his potential injury. Of course, he didn't seem too concerned about its severity either. "It's not like I'm injured," Hamels said before Wednesday's early game against Florida. "I'll talk to you in five days." The assumption then is that the lefty will have no trouble making his next scheduled start in Seattle on Sunday, which is good news for the Phillies. Hamels threw seven strong innings Tuesday, winning his ninth game of the season and lowering his ERA to 2.49 before departing one batter into the eighth with back stiffness. "It"

Hamels says back's fine, set to start Sunday

June 15

MLB.com

"There is nothing to see here. Keep moving. Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels certainly made it sound Wednesday morning like he is fine after being removed from Tuesday's game because of tightness in the middle of his back. "Come on, guys," he said. "It hasn't been 12 hours." Hamels added, "I'm not injured. I'll talk to you in five days." Hamels, who tossed seven-plus innings of one-run ball in Tuesday's 9-1 victory over the Marlins, is scheduled to start Sunday against the Mariners at Safeco Field, but the concern about his health is understandable from a fan standpoint."

Hamels isn't panicking; Cortisone shot helping Lidge

June 15

Allentown Morning Call

"Cole Hamels doesn't want everyone getting worked up over his eight-inning departure Tuesday night. "Come on guys, it hasn't even been 12 hours," said the lefty, who left Tuesday's game with middle back stiffness. "It's not like I'm injured. I'll talk to you in five days." LIDGE ENCOURAGED BY CORTISONE SHOT Since having a cortisone shot last Tuesday (June 7) in his right elbow, Brad Lidge played catch for the first time Wednesday morning. "We didn't crank on it or anything, but for the first day it felt real good," the Phillies reliever said."

Cole Hamels' back should be all right

June 15

LehighValleyLive.com

"Cole Hamels was straight dealing last night against the Marlins. The offense was straight rolling, ringing the bell at Citizen Bank Park like Sarah Palin's version of Paul Revere -- over and over and over. But then Cole left the game a bit early and fear set it. Charlie Manuel and Cole quelled that a bit by saying his lower back was just a bit stiff due to the rain delay, cold weather, etc. and Manuel says he should be "all right." Good to hear, as Cole is simply one of the best pitchers in the game today. "It tightened up on me," Hamels said of his back. "Rain delay, obviously it got a lot colder, my body temperature just kind of dropped. Everything was just kind of tightening up.""

Phils power way to victory as Hamels hurts back

June 15

CSN Philly

"Lately, Cole Hamels has been very predictable when he takes the mound. Better yet, on a pitching staff loaded with consistent pros, Hamels just might be the most reliable of the bunch this season. And that's saying something. Hamels pitched seven-plus innings, allowing just three hits and a walk in the 9-1 victory over the Florida Marlins at the Bank on Tuesday night. After giving up two hits and a run in the first inning, the lefty retired the next 17 he faced in which he allowed just three fair balls to go past the infield. However, the strong winds and sub-seasonal temperatures mixed with the long innings in the dugout brought on by the Phillies' offensive surge ended Hamels' night"

Phillies' Hamels leaves game with back tightness

June 15

Yahoo! Sports

"Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels added two pitches to the two he already had in his repertoire this spring. Since then, he's been one of the best hurlers in the majors. Tuesday night, he won his ninth game, joining Jon Lester and teammate Roy Halladay, who now has 10 victories, as the first three to that mark this season. Hamels let in one earned run in seven innings of work Tuesday as the Phils pummeled one of its division rivals, the Florida Marlins, 9-1, but then the 27-year-old left the game in the top of the eighth with tightness in his lower back."