Cliff Lee, Mario Hollands on the Mend

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Jul 31, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee (33) throws during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

A pair of lefties for the Philadelphia Phillies are on the mend.

Starting pitcher Cliff Lee was cleared to start throwing workouts and he’ll do so next week. Reliever Mario Hollands, who suffered a strained flexor like Lee, should be ready to pitch by Spring Training 2015.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro says Lee is without pain. Lee spent part of the 2014 season injured before coming back and suffering a season-ending setback on July 31. Initially there was fear that Lee would require surgery, but rest was a sufficient prescription for the strain.

With Cole Hamels on the trade block, it wouldn’t be completely out of the question for the Phillies to also shop Lee given he is on his way back to throwing off a mound.

As for Hollands, he sustained his injury just over a month after Lee’s strain. Amaro was also positive on Hollands, saying his strain wasn’t as severe as Lee’s and that he is on track for a productive offseason.

Lee went 4-5 in just 13 starts in 2014 while Hollands had a 2-2 rookie season over 50 games.