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Hamels Doing Well But Won't Start The Opener
By Drew Silverman, The Bulletin
Cole Hamels continues to make progress with his inflamed elbow, but the Phillies’ ace left-hander will not start opening night against the Braves, the team announced yesterday.
Either Brett Myers or Joe Blanton will get the ball against Atlanta on Sunday night. Whichever pitcher isn’t chosen for the opener will take the mound three days later in the series finale. Jamie Moyer is scheduled to pitch the middle game of the series on April 7.
As for Hamels, who missed some time with left elbow soreness earlier this month, the World Series MVP remains on course to make his season debut April 10 in Colorado. Hamels’ next tune-up start will come Saturday at Citizens Bank Park in an exhibition game against the Rays.
“I think that’s going to be a big start for me — that exhibition game — to really prepare me for the season,” said Hamels, who went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA last season. “I really do think that will really get me ready, going out there and competing at the big league level and starting the season off right.”
Hamels threw 65 pitches over four innings in a minor league game yesterday, allowing three runs, 10 hits and one walk against Triple-A players from the Yankees. But most importantly, he didn’t feel any pain in his arm.
“Truly, from this whole week and getting ready for the game, I haven’t felt it at all, which is great,” Hamels said. “Even throwing right there, I didn’t feel any stiffness, no soreness. It’s nice to know that now I can really focus on just pitching instead of every pitch going, ‘OK, is this going to tweak it a little bit? Is this going to make it stiff?’ I think I’m over that hump.”
Myers, who has started the last two opening days, is scheduled to pitch tonight against the Blue Jays. Blanton, the opening day starter for the Athletics last season, would be scratched from his start Friday against the Rays if he’s chosen to pitch opening night.
Phillies Release Giles
The Phillies released second baseman Marcus Giles yesterday after the veteran infielder hit just .167 this spring. The team also optioned pitcher Carlos Carrasco and outfielder John Mayberry Jr. to minor league camp and informed right-hander Mike Koplove, infielder Pablo Ozuna and outfielder Jason Ellison that they would not be making the 25-man roster.
What does all this mean? That Miguel Cairo is in decent shape to earn a roster spot, if the Phillies decide to go with 11 pitchers. If they keep 12 pitchers, Cairo likely won’t make the team, unless the Phils trade or release Matt Stairs or Geoff Jenkins over the next several days.
In terms of the pitching staff, Jack Taschner — acquired from the Giants on Friday — has the inside track to earn the final spot in the bullpen. His remaining competition is Gary Majewski and Bobby Mosebach, but perhaps two of the three could make the team if Chan Ho Park is chosen for the rotation instead of the bullpen.
Giles went just 6-for-36 with three doubles, two RBIs and three stolen bases in 19 games. Carrasco, a long shot to make the team as the fifth starter, went 2-2 with a 5.95 ERA in 19 2⁄3 innings.
Drew Silverman can be reached at dsilverman@thebulletin.us
Either Brett Myers or Joe Blanton will get the ball against Atlanta on Sunday night. Whichever pitcher isn’t chosen for the opener will take the mound three days later in the series finale. Jamie Moyer is scheduled to pitch the middle game of the series on April 7.
As for Hamels, who missed some time with left elbow soreness earlier this month, the World Series MVP remains on course to make his season debut April 10 in Colorado. Hamels’ next tune-up start will come Saturday at Citizens Bank Park in an exhibition game against the Rays.
“I think that’s going to be a big start for me — that exhibition game — to really prepare me for the season,” said Hamels, who went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA last season. “I really do think that will really get me ready, going out there and competing at the big league level and starting the season off right.”
Hamels threw 65 pitches over four innings in a minor league game yesterday, allowing three runs, 10 hits and one walk against Triple-A players from the Yankees. But most importantly, he didn’t feel any pain in his arm.
“Truly, from this whole week and getting ready for the game, I haven’t felt it at all, which is great,” Hamels said. “Even throwing right there, I didn’t feel any stiffness, no soreness. It’s nice to know that now I can really focus on just pitching instead of every pitch going, ‘OK, is this going to tweak it a little bit? Is this going to make it stiff?’ I think I’m over that hump.”
Myers, who has started the last two opening days, is scheduled to pitch tonight against the Blue Jays. Blanton, the opening day starter for the Athletics last season, would be scratched from his start Friday against the Rays if he’s chosen to pitch opening night.
Phillies Release Giles
The Phillies released second baseman Marcus Giles yesterday after the veteran infielder hit just .167 this spring. The team also optioned pitcher Carlos Carrasco and outfielder John Mayberry Jr. to minor league camp and informed right-hander Mike Koplove, infielder Pablo Ozuna and outfielder Jason Ellison that they would not be making the 25-man roster.
What does all this mean? That Miguel Cairo is in decent shape to earn a roster spot, if the Phillies decide to go with 11 pitchers. If they keep 12 pitchers, Cairo likely won’t make the team, unless the Phils trade or release Matt Stairs or Geoff Jenkins over the next several days.
In terms of the pitching staff, Jack Taschner — acquired from the Giants on Friday — has the inside track to earn the final spot in the bullpen. His remaining competition is Gary Majewski and Bobby Mosebach, but perhaps two of the three could make the team if Chan Ho Park is chosen for the rotation instead of the bullpen.
Giles went just 6-for-36 with three doubles, two RBIs and three stolen bases in 19 games. Carrasco, a long shot to make the team as the fifth starter, went 2-2 with a 5.95 ERA in 19 2⁄3 innings.
Drew Silverman can be reached at dsilverman@thebulletin.us
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