The last we saw of Cole Hamels wasn't all that encouraging. The veteran lefty’s 2020 season was limited to one appearance, pitching 3 1⁄3 innings and allowing 3 runs in a 5-1 loss to the hapless Baltimore Orioles. Hamels, who signed a 1-year/$18 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, missed most of 2020 with a shoulder injury he suffered in spring training.
His advanced age by baseball terms (he’ll turn 38 in December) as well as the recent shoulder injury make it no surprise that the 2008 World Series MVP is still without a team with the commencement of spring training.