Hamels has no damage in pitching elbow

Posted Mar 17, 2009 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 17, 2009 at 08:57 PM

CLEARWATER - Phillies ace Cole Hamels will return to camp after a team physician found no damage in his sore left elbow.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says Dr. Michael Ciccotti reported no structural damage to the joint after looking at the left-hander’s pitching elbow Tuesday in Philadelphia.
Last season’s World Series MVP received an injection to relieve inflammation and should be cleared to throw by Thursday.

Hamels’ status for the April 5 opener against Atlanta is unclear. The team will continue to monitor his recovery when he returns to camp.

Hamels went 14-10 last season with a 3.09 ERA. He was 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five postseason starts.

Verlander works 6 sharp innings in Tigers’ tie
LAKELAND - Justin Verlander remained confident when he struggled earlier in spring training and picked up another reason to be optimistic on Tuesday.

Verlander pitched six sharp innings in the Detroit Tigers’ 1-1, 11-inning tie against the Houston Astros. The right-hander allowed one run and one hit, walked three and struck out two.

Myers pitches well in Phillies’ victory over Reds
CLEARWATER - Brett Myers struck out seven in 5 2-3 shutout innings to lead Philadelphia to an 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Myers, who has started on opening day each of the last two seasons, allowed four hits and walked none. He looked more like the pitcher who finished strong to help the Phillies win the World Series last year than the one who sent to the minors in July.

Royals sign Sidney Ponson
Sidney Ponson will get another chance to pitch, this time with the Kansas City Royals.

Coming off two starts for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, Ponson signed a minor league contract with the Royals on Tuesday and was invited to big league camp.

AP Wires were used in this report.