CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Phillies ace Cole Hamels will return to camp after a team physician found no damage in his sore left elbow.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says Dr. Michael Ciccotti reported no structural damage to the joint after looking at the left-hander's pitching elbow Tuesday in Philadelphia.Last season's World Series MVP received an injection to relieve inflammation and should be cleared to throw by Thursday.
"Opening day is probably a long shot," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "We're going to have to get him stretched out and off the top of my head he's up to 52 or so pitches. We like our guys ready to throw 100 pitches by opening day."
Hamels' status for the April 5 opener against Atlanta is unclear. The team will continue to monitor his recovery when he returns to camp.
Hamels went 14-10 last season with a 3.09 ERA. He was 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five postseason starts.
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