Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays have "engaged in dialogue" with the Phillies regarding Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino. It's interesting timing, given that Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro noted Thursday that the team could be sellers at the trade deadline. But, Rosenthal cautions that "no trade is close" or "even likely" at this point, and that the Phillies are a long way from giving up on the season. While we don't anticipate them making any big deals anytime soon, if they're still floundering by midseason, trading potential free agents Hamels and Victorino becomes a viable option.

Cole Hamels will return Sunday against the Padres. Hamels is currently serving a five-game suspension for intentionally hitting Bryce Harper with a pitch. But the punishment will barely affect his throwing schedule. The 28-year-old left-hander has registered a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 44/6 K/BB ratio across 40 1/3 innings this season.

MLB suspended Cole Hamels for five games and fined him an undisclosed amount for intentionally throwing at Nationals' outfielder Bryce Harper during Sunday's game.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said Monday that Cole Hamels plunking Bryce Harper was a "classless, gutless" act. Hamels struck the 19-year-old phenom with a fastball in the first inning of Sunday night's game and later admitted that it was intentional. "He thinks he's sending a message to us of being a tough guy," Rizzo told the Washington Post on Monday morning. "He's sending the polar opposite message. He says he's being honest, well, I'm being honest. It was a gutless chicken [bleep] [bleeping] act. That was a fake-tough act. No one has ever accused Cole Hamels of being old school."

Cole Hamels admitted after Sunday night's game that he threw at the Nationals' Bryce Harper on purpose. Hamels struck Harper in the lower back in the first inning with a 92 mph fastball. It certainly looked intentional, and the left-hander acknowledged later that it was. "I was trying to hit him. I'm not going to deny it. It's something I grew up watching. That's what happened. I'm just trying to continue the old baseball. Some people get away from it." Harper had the last laugh, advancing from first base to third base on a Jayson Werth single before stealing home. Hamels could be facing a suspension.

Cole Hamels allowed just one run over eight innings as the Phillies beat the Nationals 9-3 on Sunday night to salvage the finale of a three-game series. The lone run allowed by Hamels came in the first, when Bryce Harper stole home. Hamels ended up allowing five hits, walking one and striking out eight. He has a Cliff Lee-like 44/6 K/BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings this season.

Cole Hamels allowed two runs and four hits over eight innings in a defeat of the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Hamels has won three straight after losing his first start of the year, and he has a 30/3 K/BB ratio in 26 1/3 innings. While he's not even the favorite for the award on his own staff, don't sleep on him as a Cy Young contender this year.

Cole Hamels gave up four runs -- three earned -- in 5 1/3 innings Monday in a loss to the Marlins. Hamels struck out nine and walked none, but the Marlins were able to get to him for eight hits, including Omar Infante's fifth-inning homer. Expect a better performance next time out against the Mets.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Phillies haven't talked to Cole Hamels about a contract extension in 30 days. In other words, there's no update from what Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reported a week ago. Hamels reportedly wants at least $20 million per season, which the Phillies are willing to do, but there's still some difference of opinion over the years. The 28-year-old southpaw is due to hit free agency following the season and could command a contract in the $120-150 million range on the open market.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Phillies and Cole Hamels' representatives have not had any substantive talks in three weeks. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reported just Wednesday that the two sides were making progress towards a long-term extension, but apparently that's not the case. Hamels reportedly wants at least $20 million per season, which the Phils are OK with, but they're currently not willing to give the desired number of years. The lefty is currently slated for free agency following the 2012 season.