Cole Hamels injury update |
CINCINNATI — Chicago Cubs starting pitcher suffered an injury in the opening inning of his start at Great American Ball Park on Friday, with the left-hander throwing just one warmup pitch prior to the bottom of the second before taking himself out of the game due to discomfort in his left side. The Cubs went on to lose 6-3 to the Cincinnati Reds, and the bad night was made worse for the Cubs when the prognosis for Hamels was revealed following the game.
Having suffered a strain to his left oblique in the bottom of the first, Hamels will be placed on the injured list and is set to undergo an MRI on Saturday that will determine the severity of the injury. With starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks already on the shelf with a shoulder injury, the Cubs would be placed in a really tough spot if Hamels were to miss an extended period of time. At the very least, Hamels will land on the 10-day injured list and lose out on a start or two. There is speculation that veteran outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who was signed by the Cubs in late May, will be designated for assignment in order to make room for an extra arm on the Cubs' roster. Gonzalez was seen in the locker room exchanging handshakes and hugs with his teammates following Friday's contest, thereby making it seem as though his time with the Cubs is coming to an end due to an injury-riddled pitching staff. No official moves by Cubs, but expecting them to call up two arms Saturday. In clubhouse, veteran Carlos Gonzalez was gathered with some teammates. Received a few handshakes and hugs.
