Cole Hamels did indeed have a precautionary MRI on Monday for his shoulder, which showed some inflammation but no structural damage.
According to Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., Hamels has some inflammation in posterior shoulder and his posterior rotator cuff and will miss his next start. The good news, however, is that the Phils lefty wont be hitting the disabled list.
While Hamels will miss one start, Amaro was unsure if hell miss any more.
He actually is very good, Amaro said. He has some inflammation in his posterior shoulder and his posterior rotator cuff, but no major changes.
Hamels threw only five innings in his last start, a loss to Washington on Friday and Charlie Manuel said Hamels felt stiffness in his shoulder.
The lefty said the start was a dead-arm start, which happens to a pitcher over the course of a season.
Some of these off days will help, Amaro said. Having Oswalt back in the rotation, and it looks like hes progressing well, and Worley or Kendrick will probably take a start for Hamels sometime down the line. The fact that those guys have pitched pretty darn well helps a lot.
MLB
Amaro also confirmed that Hamels received a dye injection during the MRI. CSNs Leslie Gudel reported through sources on Monday that Hamels had the dye injection, which wont allow him to throw for two days.
Hamels is 13-7 this year with a 2.62 ERA.
The team's website lists Roy Oswalt, who last pitched Saturday, as the probable starter for Friday in place of Hamels. Because of Sunday's rainout and a Monday off-day, Oswalt would be pitching on regular, five-day rest.
Amaro was unsure if Oswalt will pitch in Hamels place on Friday.
I would think that Oswalt would probably pitch in rotation, but we have some space there, he said.
Polanco update
Placido Polanco was placed on the disabled list after the Phillies' 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The move is retroactive to Aug. 7.
Right-handed pitcher Michael Schwimer was called up from Triple A Lehigh Valley to fill Polanco's spot on the 25-man roster.
Polanco threw and took infield practice before Tuesdays game against the Diamondbacks while Phillies head trainer Scott Sheridan watched.
A sports hernia has forced Polanco to sit out since Aug. 6 in San Francisco and he is 7 for 24 (.292) with one RBI and zero extra-base hits since returning from his previous stint on the DL.
Were going to try to avoid surgery at all costs, Amaro said prior to the game. He feels very good. He feels much better, especially in the last 48 hours or so. If hes ready to play by tomorrow and hes ready to be 100 percent by tomorrow, then hell play.
Despite going on the DL, Amaro said that doesnt necessarily mean Polanco will have surgery to repair the sports hernia.
If Polanco does, however, need the surgery, Amaro isnt counting on him being around for the rest of the season.
Anytime you have to go in there, I think the doctor said it would take about three weeks, thats not realistic, Amaro said. If he has to go in there and have surgery, hes likely going to be out for the whole year. Thats not necessarily true, but conservatively, thats how we have to think about it.
The Phils third baseman has already had one stint on the disabled list this season. He missed nearly all of July with a bulging disc in his back. Its almost hard to believe he set the Phillies hit record for a month with 41 in April.
More injuries
Pitchers Joe Blanton and Jose Contreras are also working their way back to the Phillies.
According to Amaro, the two have thrown long toss very well and the team is pleased with their progress.
And were going to take it slow with them, because really, theres no rush, Amaro said. We want to make sure their healthy off the mound. Were not sure when their exactly going to be throwing off the mound.
Im just hoping to get them get back on the field sometime in September.
E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com