Posted at 12:33 p.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Baseball: Phillies place Hamels on 15-day DL
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained elbow and is expected to miss two starts.Hamels (14-5, 3.50 ERA) is eligible to be activated on September 1.
While the All-Star pitcher joins a long list of Phillies who have spent time on the disabled list this season, Hamels' injury isn't nearly as bad as was feared. An MRI showed no structural or ligament damage in his throwing elbow. His DL stint is retroactive to Aug. 17.
"Some people can pitch through the discomfort, but I can't," Hamels said.
The 23-year-old Hamels, who has thrown 167 1-3 innings this season, felt playing it safe was the right choice, despite upcoming series against teams the Phillies are chasing — the San Diego Padres and New York Mets.
"It seems like he's going to miss two turns. That's good news," Manuel said.
J.D. Durbin (5-2, 5.36) will start against the Dodgers on Wednesday and Fabio Castro (0-0, 12.27) will start Thursday's afternoon game.
"I let them know that the discomfort was still inflamed. Not knowing what it was, that's not what I need at this point in my career and this team and this race," Hamels said of his decision to not pitch through the pain.
The Phillies have received some positive injury news this week. Chase Utley (broken hand) took batting practice before Wednesday's game and could return to the lineup as early as next Tuesday.
Injured outfielder Shane Victorino (quad), on the DL since July 31, was activated Wednesday and was expected to start in right field.
