Cole Hamels (shoulder) played catch Wednesday. Hamels will be skipped in the starting rotation this week due to inflammation in his shoulder, but we should know a lot more about his status after he throws a bullpen session Friday. As of now, the left-hander believes he can return next week.

Cole Hamels (shoulder) is scheduled to throw Wednesday. Hamels was diagnosed with inflammation in his left shoulder after undergoing an MRI, but the Phillies are confident that he will not need to go on the disabled list. If all goes according to plan, Hamels will progress to a bullpen session Friday and make his next start Monday or Tuesday against the Mets.

Cole Hamels held the Rockies to two runs on six hits in six innings of work on Monday, taking a no-decision in Philadelphia's 4-3, 10-inning win in Colorado. He struck out five and walked one. Both runs came in the second, where Seth Smith tagged him for a two-run homer. Hamels will enter his weekend outing in San Francisco the owner of a 2.62 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 145/31 K/BB ratio.

Cole Hamels allowed two runs on six hits over 7 2/3 innings in a loss Wednesday against the Giants. He struck out six and walked two, but was outdueled by Matt Cain in the 2-1 setback. The left-hander has given up more than two runs just once in his last 12 starts and now sports a 2.61 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 12-6 record on the season. He'll face the Rockies next.

Cole Hamels tied a career-high by giving up seven runs over 4 1/3 innings in Saturday's loss to the Mets. We didn't see this one coming, especially with Carlos Beltran out of the lineup. Hamels was smoked for eight hits (including a home run) while walking four and striking out three. His ERA jumped from 2.32 to 2.71 in the loss. Despite today's clunker, we wouldn't hesitate using him against the light-hitting Padres next week.

Cole Hamels held the Braves to one run on three hits in eight dominating innings of work on Sunday, improving to 11-4 on the season in Atlanta's 14-1 win at home. Hamels struck out six and walked two. Curiously, he pitched the eighth inning, running his pitch count to 116, despite the fact that Philadelphia already had a 10-1 lead. Regardless, he enters the All-Star break with a 2.32 ERA and filthy 0.93 WHIP, and has easily been one of the best players in baseball season.

Cole Hamels told Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that he recently pitched through poison oak on both of his legs. Hamels contracted poison oak while fishing on teammate Roy Oswalt's property during an off-day on June 20. He was in pain for subsequent starts against the Athletics and Red Sox before his condition finally eased for his most recent outing Tuesday against the Marlins. " It felt like razor blades on the back of my legs every time I'd take a step," said Hamels. The 27-year-old left-hander is 10-4 with a 2.40 ERA over 18 starts this season.

Cole Hamels (hand) did not throw a bullpen session Saturday as expected, but he did play catch in the outfield without any issues. Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee wanted to give Hamels an extra day for the bruising and swelling in his right hand to subside. The lefty instead throw a bullpen session Sunday and will be cleared for Tuesday's outing if he doesn't suffer a setback.

Cole Hamels had his hand wrapped Friday, a day after he was hit with a comebacker that forced him from his outing, but he thinks he'll be fine to make his next start on Tuesday. X-rays on Hamels' non-throwing hand were negative. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro wouldn't fully commit to Hamels being ready for Tuesday when asked after Thursday's game, but it would be a surprise if he's not.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said he's "not 100 percent sure" Cole Hamels (hand) will make his next start. Hamels had to exit Thursday's outing after being hit in the non-throwing hand by a comebacker. X-rays came back negative, and it would be a big surprise if he's not fine for his scheduled outing Tuesday, but it's not set in stone. "Hopefully, in 5 days, he'll be ready to pitch," Amaro said. "We're not 100 percent sure he'll make his next start."