Cole Hamels will be scratched from his start tonight against the Mets and Jon Lieber will replace him. Too bad for Ryan Madson who pitched a full game last night, he might have been awarded the spot start otherwise. As for the fragile young Hamels, he heard a pop in his left shoulder (his pitching arm) while playing long toss at a distance of 120 feet in the outfield yesterday. The Phillies sent him back home to have it examined by Dr. Ciccotti. Hamels noted, "Obviously, you’re worried about it. You just want to know what the heck is going on."
You may remember Cole’s various other injuries have included elbow tendinitis, broken left hand and chronic back problems but this is the first shoulder ailment he’s experienced. Still, he seems to have the right attitude when it comes to his injury-plagued career, "It’s just something that, every time you get an injury, you get stronger and stronger, and you can accomplish new goals whenever you set your mind to it." Let’s hope this isn’t serious and Cole can come back stronger and record his first win next Sunday against the Brewers.
Speaking of injuries, as a follow up to our post yesterday there are updates on most of the Phillies’ walking wounded. Aaron Rowand reported that he would be ready to return on Saturday when he is eligible to come off the disabled list. Mike Lieberthal who is back on the DL temporarily has not indicated when exactly he will return but caught a bullpen session yesterday and will continue that practice for the next few days. Both guys will play in a simulated game on Friday night. Randy Wolf pitched adequately in his first rehab assignment. He threw 66 pitches over 3 innings in a simulated game and is expected to pitch on Monday for Clearwater. Indications seem to point to Ruiz and Roberson being sent back down when Lieberthal and Rowand return. This will hopefully give more playing time to Chris Coste who did not get a chance to make his debut in last night’s marathon.
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