Hamels is slated to make his spring debut Wednesday versus the Rangers, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Hamels will likely be limited to two innings as he aims to condition his arm in advance of Opening Day. The lefty was the Cubs' top starter after coming over in a trade from the Rangers last July, supplying a 2.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 76.1 innings across 12 outings.

The Cubs will exercise Hamels' $20 million option for 2019 on Friday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hamels was traded to the Cubs at the July trade deadline and posted a 2.36 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 74:23 K:BB in 12 starts, which was enough for the team to bring him back for 2019. The veteran left-hander hasn't posted a sub-3.00 ERA for a full season since 2009 so a repeat of those numbers don't seem particularly likely, but he certainly found a resurgence in Chicago after having 4.72 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through the first half of the season with Texas.

Hamels (9-12) took the loss Saturday against the Cardinals despite allowing just two runs (one earned) over seven innings. He gave up three hits and two walks, while striking out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Hamels was locked in but he got outdueled by St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas in a 2-1 Cubs loss. The veteran lefty has lost his last two starts despite allowing just three earned runs over 13 innings, and he has a stellar 2.36 ERA overall since coming over to Chicago in early August. Hamels will now turn his attention to the postseason, and the 2008 World Series MVP figures to play a big role in his team's playoff run.

Hamels (9-11) allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings to take the loss Monday against the Pirates. He gave up five hits and two walks, while striking out seven. He also chipped in a solo home run at the plate.

EDGE Analysis

While it was the second straight loss for Hamels, this was a much better outing than his last start, when he allowed seven earned runs in six innings. The big blow against the veteran lefty was a two-run home run by Francisco Cervelli in the first inning, but he settled in nicely after that. Hamels now has seven quality starts in 11 appearances with the Cubs along with a stellar 2.47 ERA. He's slated to make his final start of the regular season Saturday against the rival Cardinals.

Hamels (4-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on nine hits while striking out four over six innings against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Hamels was in trouble from the start, allowing a three-run home run in the first inning and he'd later yield another long ball. This was by far the southpaw's worst start since joining the Cubs, as he previously had a shiny 1.57 ERA with his new club. It's tempting to write this one off as a blip on the radar, but the long balls are part of a developing trend with the 34-year-old giving up five home runs over his last three starts. He'll look to bounce back Tuesday against the Pirates.

Hamels didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Reds, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks over 6.2 innings while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw delivered his sixth quality start in nine outings for the Cubs, but Hamels was actually in line for his first loss with his new club before Ian Happ took him off the hook with a three-run blast in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hamels will take a sparkling 1.57 ERA as a Cub into his next start Wednesday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Hamels didn't factor into the decision in a 6-5 loss to the Nationals during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, giving up three runs on three hits and five walks over 5.2 innings while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw managed only 51 strikes among his 95 pitches, but he still left the game in line for his 10th win of the season before Steve Cishek coughed up the lead in the seventh inning. Hamels will take a 3.71 ERA, but a 1.42 mark in eight starts for the Cubs, into his next outing Friday at home against the Reds.

Hamels gave up two runs over six innings but did not factor into the decision in Monday's loss to the Brewers. He allowed five hits and a walk, while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Though Hamels did not pick up the win, he continued to pitch well in a Cubs uniform. Since making his team debut on Aug. 1, the veteran lefty has recorded five quality starts in seven appearances, with a 1.00 ERA and 43 strikeouts across 45 innings. Hamels will look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday in Washington.

Hamels struck out eight in five scoreless innings against the Mets on Tuesday, allowing four hits and three walks in a no-decision.

EDGE Analysis

In a game that was suspended in the 10th inning due to rain and will resume Wednesday, Hamels pitched effectively although he needed 93 pitches (56 strikes) to get through five innings. In six starts so far for his new ball club Hamels is 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP while notching 38 strikeouts in 39 innings. The veteran lefty has reduced his season ERA by a full run since moving over from Texas (4.72 ERA on July 23). His next start will be against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Hamels (9-9) pitched a complete game and got the win Thursday against the Reds. He allowed a single run on eight hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Hamels didn't start the game off on the right foot, as he allowed a double and a single to the first two hitters, and the Reds got up 1-0 after the top of the first. However, the veteran lefty cruised from there, and he was able to get through nine innings on 114 pitches, giving him the 17th complete game of his career. Hamels has been outstanding since joining the Cubs, as he now has a 0.79 ERA and 0.94 WHIP through his first five starts with his new team. He'll look to keep it rolling on Tuesday against the Mets.