Phillies Notes: Hamels 'impressed' after bullpen session

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Ever since Cole Hamels emerged so fatigued from a March 1 bullpen session that he couldn't throw for another week afterward, he and the Phillies have measured his progress back to full strength in percentages and pitch totals.

Sunday was more of the same. Still rehabilitating after developing shoulder tendinitis in November, Hamels threw 33 pitches in another bullpen workout. All the pitches were fastballs, and Hamels said afterward that he threw at "around 70 [percent], a hair, a couple at 75 percent." He will have one more session on Wednesday, he said, before he expects the team to clear him to throw against live hitters.

"I was really thoroughly impressed with the way I've been feeling all week," he said. "The past couple days with recovering and still being able to maintain the exercises and the strength program without any hiccups or even having to take it back a notch. I've really been able to bounce back really well."

The Phillies lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-0, at Bright House Field on Sunday. Five batters were hit by pitches, bringing the total to 10 among the teams' three games against each other this spring, and Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon threw a high-and-tight fastball to Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen, the reigning National League MVP.

Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure said the team's pitchers have thrown inside more against the Pirates to try to keep Pittsburgh's hitters off the plate. He dismissed the high number of hit batters between the teams as unintentional. Manager Ryne Sandberg wasn't so sure.

"There's either been a coincidence or numerous hit-by-pitches by the Pirates," Sandberg said. "Our pitchers will protect our hitters."

McClure said that Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez's shoulder soreness was "minimal" and that Gonzalez could begin throwing again Monday. . . . Jonathan Pettibone will pitch in a minor-league game Monday, and reliever Mike Adams will pitch in one on Wednesday. . . . Ryan Howard and Tony Gwynn Jr. each had two hits Sunday.