Todd Zolecki reports that the Phillies have received good news on pitcher Cole Hamels, who visited a doctor in Philadelphia today. The doctor revealed there is no structural damage to his pitching elbow.
“Hamels had a MRI and dynamic ultrasound today in Philadelphia. [Ruben] Amaro said there is some inflammation in the posterior lateral aspect of his elbow joint. He received an anti-inflammatory injection today and will not throw for two days. That means he will begin throwing again Thursday.”
The Phillies were pleased to hear that there is no serious injury. Hamels will not be rushed, but Opening Day is a possibility.
“We’ll start when he’s ready to start,” Amaro said. “He’ll start for the Phillies at the major league level when he’s ready to start. If it’s Opening Day, it’s Opening Day. If it’s some time beyond that then that’s when it will be. He’ll let us know what the pace is. We’ll monitor his progress. It’ll depend on how he continues to progress. For us, again, it’s the same old mantra: It’s not about Opening Day. It’s about 162 games, and hopefully beyond 162 games that we really have to worry about.”
