What we know about Hamels' doctor trip
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What we know about Hamels' doctor trip
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
So, here is what we know thus far:
1) General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told media today that Cole Hamels will be leaving spring training to fly to Philadelphia, where he will be examined by team doctor Michael Ciccotti.
2) Hamels has had persistent soreness in his elbow, which Amaro says has become "more localized" lately.
3) The Phillies insist they are not overly concerned that the examination will reveal anything damning. They gave Hamels a thorough exam, which included an MRI, before they signed him to a three-year, $20.5 million contract in mid-January. Those reports showed nothing which which to be concerned.
"We just want to be cautious," Amaro said. "We thought it was important that he see our doctor in Philadelphia."
4) Hamels told our Paul Hagen yesterday that he was not concerned about his ability to get himself ready for Opening Day. Hamels' velocity has been well short of where it normally sits, but the lefthander says that is normal for this time of year.
"Every year it [velocity] does the same thing," he pointed out. "I think to hit your spots is a little more important. It will just come from the strength of being out there. I think it takes that extra adrenaline and extra motivation of knowing that something does count to really get it there. But if you're able to hit your spots, by the time you want to ramp it up you know you're going to be somewhere in the area instead of all over the plac
5) Amaro said Hamels' velocity has been progressing as expected. He said the mild soreness -- which he later referred to as a "tightness" -- has not affected his arm strength. Between innings, Amaro said, Hamels' elbow will sometimes tighten up.
"We do not think it is serious," Amaro said.
6) Asked if this could jeopardize Hamels' status for Opening Day, which is in 19 days, Amaro said: "It's a possibility, I guess. But we won't know anything until Dr. Ciccotti sees him."
7) Amaro said the soreness is in a different area of the elbow than the injury that landed Hamels on the disabled list two years ago.
^
In more positive injury news, Amaro said Chase Utley came out of his first Grapefruit League game "really well." In fact, he said, Utley has responded better than the day after his appearance in a minor league game Saturday.
Good grief...— johninLA2- Noooooo..... I hope this isnt serious. If he isnt ready for the start of the season, please dont let him pitch and make it worse. J Happ can be the 5th starter and Chan Ho can fill in for Cole. for the time being.— dweb
- Here we go..........— FlyerFan21
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Light some candles fellas.— mick314
- The Phils still have KK. No worries.— Reggie92
Great. You just knew something like this was going to come out of spring this year.- Don't worry, sore elbows almost always magically get better all by themselves.....ugh.— bcsk
- Maaybe Cole Hamels is a hypochondriac. It seems that he is too worry about his health. The great Roberto Clemente was labeled a hypochondriac because he was always complaining about injuries and other medical ailments. That didn’t stop him from being a Hall of Famer, anyway. Let’s hope the same thing is happening to Hamels.— EL Zorro
- Maybe— EL Zorro
- i really love the phillies. at least candidly answers questions, and talk to their fans via the press about injuries. if this were the eagles, we'd find out about it five weeks later from an unnamed source.— jb99
- ...and to think they released Adam Eaton.— rascal b. schuylkillian
- cross your fingers, cross your toes, cross your nuts if you can. this ain't good.— scorpio27
- All I have to say is February 23, 2009, Sports Illustrated, front cover, Ahhhh!!!— Wick
- So why all the drama?— EL Zorro
Def does not sound good!! Almost every time you hear a report like this it ends up with tommy john- Congratulations on your positive mindset, PhillyTheKid. It's really strong.— Nutburgers
- dweb, I agree with you although I'm not too worried about the injury. I know this is a terrible thing to say but even if his career is over (which it's not), at least he brought a championship to this town. If the Phils don't win the World Series in the next 5 years, that's all right with me because they gave all of us tremendous memories for the rest of our lives. Chan Ho Park & J.A. Happ are 4th & 5th starters anyway on any other ballclub. With the offense we have, pitching just has to be good enough. I trust Brett Myers vs. the aces of other teams. He's going to be a free agent & he's going to want his money next year. I expect 17 wins out of Brett Myers. Here's hoping Hamels will be back on the mound soon enough.— badjake35
- Cole Hamels is done for the season and this could be career threatening. Darn "Dancing With The Stars' appearance did him in. I told the wife when we saw his smiling puss on the televizzy..."this can not be good".— rockinrob
- All Philly pitchers should be mentored in conditioning by Super Steve Carlton. While I agree with PhillyTheKid, it is now something that wasn't, yesterday. It Cole goes down, we have 5 pitchers battling for the fifth position, so, we should be in good shape.....(that was sarcastic).— psuwelsh
- Hey! don't worry about it, can we make his arm feel better? ummm, don't think so! It is what it is, smile, go with the flow!— DJ
- @Reggie92 HAHAHA!!! Did you see the boxscore from today's yankees game? Kyle Kendrick was crushed AGAIN!! He would be great for the phils if we could put him in the opposition's uniform during game day.— BudSelig_isthenext_MrBurns
Santana got sent back to New York to have his shoulder looked at already this spring, and it turned out ok so far. It could happen to us too.— Elbarad- So what if Hamels needs to spend a month on the DL? It might be a blessing. Provided the team stays in the race - and it will - he comes back healthy, rested, and a little stronger come September. It's a long season, gentlemen.— wooderice
- Thank goodness we signed Park, now Ruben go out and sign that Korean lefty, Y.K.Bong, who apparently hasn't given up an earned run since the Carter administration.— jp
