Hamels Almost Ready

Cole Hamels pitched in a minor league outing today against the Triple-A Yankees. He threw 64 pitches, allowing three earned runs on ten hits, walked one, and struck out five.

"I think that would be the best just knowing that I can go out there, hopefully
go a little deeper, maybe about 80 pitches," Hamels said. "Hopefully get past
that fourth inning. Pitching four innings in the big leagues doesn't help much.
The bullpen would be taxed. Just knowing I can go out there and really hit my
spots is going to be the big key. That just happens with just going out there
and that repetition."

Hamels said his elbow feels fine, experiencing no pain, but needs at least one more start to be ready for the season. Hamels will pitch on April 4 in an exhibition game at Citizen’s Bank Park before making his 2009 regular season debut on April 10.

The Opening Night starter will come down to Brett Myers or Joe Blanton. Both started Opening Day in 2008; Blanton with the Athletics in Japan, and Myers in Philadelphia.

QUOTE SOURCE: The Zo Zone