As the Los Angeles Dodgers searched for pitching ahead of the MLB trade deadline, they reportedly were among the teams to attend a Cole Hamels showcase in the middle of July. The southpaw held the event as he looked to get back into the Majors this season.
Hamels, now 37 years old, made his MLB debut for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and became a fixture in their rotation until he was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2015. He remained with Texas until being traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2018, where he stayed until signing with the Atlanta Braves in 2020.
However, Hamels only made one start for the Braves last year before being shut down for the season with shoulder inflammation and fatigue.
There wasn’t much movement for Hamels coming out of the showcase as he rejected opportunities to sign a Minor League contract. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, Hamels is now signing with the Dodgers:
Can confirm, via source that #Dodgers are signing veteran LHP Cole Hamels to a major league deal. Hamels will report to team's AZ complex to build up arm strength first. @JonHeyman was on it.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 4, 2021
Even with their trades for Danny Duffy and Max Scherzer, the Dodgers remain a bit thin on the pitching front. Clayton Kershaw was unable to throw in a second simulated game last weekend due to soreness, which has delayed his return.
Tony Gonsolin also is on the 10-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, Dustin May has been lost for the year because of Tommy John surgery, Trevor Bauer is on administrative leave due to ongoing investigations into alleged sexual assault, and Duffy likely won’t return until September.
Although Hamels fills a proverbial area of need, there are reports he will first head to Camelback Ranch to continue building up arm strength prior to joining the team.
Hamels latest former Phillies player
With Hamels set to sign with the Dodgers, he coincidentally becomes the seventh member of the 2008 Phillies to join the organization. They previously acquired Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, Joe Blanton, Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Madson over the years.
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