Hamels to Pitch Tonight

Cole Hamels will be making his first start since spraining his ankle on April 28. Before that start he took a line drive off his left shoulder from Prince Fielder. It hasn't been just the regular season as Hamels has also missed time in Spring Training due to inflammation in his left elbow, forcing Brett Myers to take the opening day spot.

"We'll see how far he can go," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "Once his
pitch count gets up there, we'll see. He might be able to go 85 or 90 [pitches],
maybe more. I don't know."

Hamels is a great pitcher and I know he will come around. He has battled through injuries before and this is nothing new to him. He will catch fire mid-season and finish strong, returning to World Series MVP form.

Hamels has made four starts and is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA. He has struck out 15 batter in 17.1 innings pitched. He will face Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1; 5.00) of the Braves tonight.