Texas Rangers: Cole Hamels Looks Strong in Rehab Start

The Rangers might not be ready to throw in the towel just yet. Reinforcements are coming off the disabled list, and the biggest one of all could be veteran lefty Cole Hamels. When can the Rangers expect to see Hamels return?

The Texas Rangers were worried after Cole Hamels was pulled from a start against the Houston Astros during warm ups. He hit the 10-day disabled list on May 3, and hasn’t seen any MLB action since the injury.

Hamels made his first rehab start with Double-A Frisco, but it didn’t go according to plan. The goal was to get Hamels to throw around 55-60 pitches. In three innings Hamels threw 35 pitches, including 25 strikes, and allowed just one hit.

He struck out three batters, and threw the rest of his pitches in the bullpen after he departed from the game. Hamels remains optimistic as he continues to work back from a strained right oblique. According to Chris Vannini, Hamels had this to say about his performance.

"“We ultimately wanted three up-downs,” Hamels said. “Then another in the bullpen, that was four. You just build up the pitch count from there. The next time out, it’ll probably be about five or six.”"

Friday night was not the first time Hamels has thrown since the injury. He began throwing before the start on Friday, but that was his first in-game action since the oblique injury. He said there was no pain or discomfort afterwards, and his fastball topped out at 93 mph.

"“That’s been the best news with this type of injury,” he said. “The first couple weeks are the toughest. Once you’re able to get over those couple weeks and then get the strength back in there, you have to go in there. Now it’s building up the arm strength, because of all the days I lost.”"

Currently Hamels will be working in a five-day rotation, and is expected to pitch on Wednesday. The final determination could be made in the next few days. Hamels is expected to make at least three rehab starts before returning to the Rangers.