Former Philadelphia Phillies star Cole Hamels, who signed a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month, will not pitch this year after all.
Numerous members of the media have confirmed that Hamels is being placed on the 60-day IL after experiencing arm pain.
Dodgers have officially recalled pitching prospect Andre Jackson for his big league debut. They’ve also selected the contract of reliever Neftalí Feliz.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 17, 2021
Cole Hamels is on the 60-day injured list. His season is over without throwing a pitch for the Dodgers. Núñez, Uceta optioned.
Cole Hamels had arm pain again and is done for the year while the #Dodgers are on the hook for $1 million.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 17, 2021
The Dodgers confirmed it soon after.
The Dodgers selected the contract of RHP Neftalí Féliz, recalled RHP Andre Jackson and optioned LHP Darien Núñez and RHP Edwin Uceta to Triple-A. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers placed Cole Hamels on the 60-day injured list.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 17, 2021
As the corresponding roster move, the Dodgers selected the contract of another veteran, Neftalí Feliz. In a weird twist of fate, Feliz most recently pitched for the Phillies, posting a 36.00 ERA over two appearances this season. They designated him for assignment and he became a free agent in early July.
It’s hard to see Hamels coming back from this. He signed a deal with the Atlanta Braves for the 2020 season, and only pitched in one game for them. It cost them around $9 million after the shortened season reduced players’ salaries. The Dodgers are only on the hook for $1 million, but it’s a blow nonetheless.
Hamels turns 38 in December, and it’s hard to see another team taking a chance on him after the way this season and last turned out. But if this is the end of his career, it’s quite a sad one. No one wants to see the four-time All-Star, NLCS and World Series MVP and champion come to this.
It’s rare for a player to get to end their career on their terms, but there was hope that Hamels would make a comeback this season and be one of the lucky ones.