Chicago Sun-Times · Jul 17, 2019
Cubs ‘don’t want to slow-play Cole Hamels’
Hamels Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Cubs starter Cole Hamels’ first bullpen session Wednesday during his rehab throwing program went well enough that pitching coach Tommy Hottovy sounded optimistic about a timeline for returning from the injured list that aligned roughly with Hamels’ estimate of the first of August.
That would be barely a month since he left a start in Cincinnati after one inning June 28 because of a left oblique strain.
Barring a setback in the aftermath of Wednesday’s 24-pitch session, Hamels is on track for a full-scale bullpen session over the weekend, after which a minor-league rehab start could be in play as a next step.