Hamels Encountered Off-Season Shoulder Issue
Hamels got aggressive with his off-season preparation in October, slowed down, and is now fine according to Amaro. Photo: AP
According to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, Cole Hamels faced a non-serious shoulder issue while working on his off-season throwing program. According to Salisbury, General Manager Ruben Amaro stated that Hamels was aggressive with his throwing program and preemptively reported soreness to Phillies’ trainer Scott Sheridan. Salisbury quoted Amaro with the following: “We shut him down for a couple of weeks, but he’s fine now,” Amaro said. “He was being proactive more than anything else, which is good. We backed him off and slowed him down, but he’s back throwing now and doing fine. He’s had no complaints.”
Analysis: With the health of Roy Halladay somewhat in question, Hamels’ health becomes of increasingly larger importance for the Phillies in 2013, as he anchors a rotation that also includes a decent Kyle Kendrick and a league-average John Lannan. Follow this closely: it is odd that this was mentioned at all if it is such a non-issue.
What is admirable about this situation is Hamels’ dedication to start his throwing program rather immediately and his honesty in reporting any issue, even a minor one. His leadership in starting a regimen that early and honest approach are refreshing.
