Phillies Notebook: Phillies manager Manuel confident in Hamels when 'he keeps his cool'

SAN FRANCISCO - Once upon a time, people thought Cole Hamels would enter 2010 coming off back-to-back Cy Young victories. His opponent today, Giants righthander Tim Lincecum, has that honor.

But manager Charlie Manuel is convinced Hamels has plenty of potential to reach such a threshold in the near future.

Two starts ago, Hamels showed why, holding the Marlins to two runs in eight innings while striking out eight. Manuel thinks the difference between that start and the one he had 5 days ago, when he allowed six runs in six innings against the Diamondbacks, is Hamels trying too hard.

"He started seeing how hard he could throw, or maybe he felt like he had to throw hard, and the ball kind of got up and he made some mistakes and they started hitting him," Manuel said. "When he keeps his cool and he's fluid and he's smooth and he's graceful, that's when he's really good. When I see that, I know it's still there. It's just a matter of him getting consistent again with it."

It could be next week. It could be in a month. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to set even a general timetable for the return of shortstop Jimmy Rollins, although various members of the team suggest that the second week of May is realistic. Rollins has begun a light running program and has been taking batting practice, but the Phillies have yet to announce a rehab schedule for their star, who strained his calf before the home opener against the Nationals on April 12.

"We'll keep progressing him," Amaro said. "We'll see how he feels next week when he gets back [home]."

Righthander Joe Blanton is scheduled to make his final rehab appearance today for Double A Reading. Blanton could rejoin the Phillies' rotation as early as Monday . . . Shortstop Juan Castro (hamstring) returned to the lineup last night after a two-game absence . . . Righthander Roy Hallady will make his next start Saturday, followed by Jamie Moyer on Sunday. Righthander Kyle Kendrick will start Friday night against the Mets . . . Lefthander J.A. Happ (elbow) continues to long toss, but has yet to throw off a mound.

For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at http://go.philly.com/highcheese.