Some good news out of Phillies camp on the pitching front for once. It appears that Cole Hamels and Jonathan Pettibone could be getting closer to pitching to some live hitters. While the team scurries for a fifth starter, either Pettibone or Hamels could help the Phillies in the fifth spot if all goes well with their rehab.
Hamels had another bullpen session yesterday (pictured above) and Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly spoke to Cole Hamels afterward, who was very happy with how he is coming along:
“I’m really looking forward to this week,” the 30-year-old lefty said moments after Sunday’s bullpen session. “This week is going to be a really big week with some really big stepping stones. But with everything we’ve been able to do and with the way I’ve been able to recover and gain the strength necessary, I’m really pleased.”
Salisbury says that if Wednesday's bullpen session goes well, Hamels could face some live hitters in batting practice by the weekend.
As for Jonathan Pettibone, Paul Casella of MLB.com wrote that Pettibone could be the Phillies fifth starter by the time that they need one:
Following a live bullpen session earlier this week, right-hander Jonathan Pettibone said he thinks he could potentially be ready to return by the time the Phillies need a fifth starter.
Thanks to off days on April 3 and April 8, the Phillies could go until April 14 without a fifth starter, should they wish to start Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett, Kyle Kendrick, and Roberto Hernandez on regular rest.
If the Phillies opt to use a fifth starter and give extra rest to the rest of the starting rotation, options include Jeff Manship, David Buchanan, and Sean O'Sullivan. Absent from discussion is Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who has not pitched since March 7 and experienced shoulder soreness.
Pettibone appears further along than Hamels at this point. In a season in which much has to go right for the Philleis to contend, they must take every start seriously in the early going.
