Cole Hamels Comeback Over Before It Begins

Cole Hamels was just looking for a chance, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were ready to give it to him, but that dream is now over. 

Cole Hamels felt shoulder pain in his simulated game in Arizona, so he won’t be able to pitch for the Dodgers this season @BNightengale was on it

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 17, 2021

Shoulder pain in his simulated game has forced him onto the 60-day injured list, ending his season before it could even begin.

Hamels held a private tryout for several MLB teams last month, and the Dodgers signed him in early August to a $1 million dollar deal, with a bonus of $200,000 for every start he made. The Dodgers, according to Bob Nightengale, are on the hook for that $1 mill. 

But things started to come undone a couple of weeks ago when he was supposed to throw two innings in a simulated game, but he exited after one inning with no word as to why. It's apparent now that the shoulder pain began then. 

His left shoulder was the problem in 2020 as well, when he was able to pitch only 3 innings for the Atlanta Braves on an $18 million dollar deal. The Dodgers, by comparison, got off easy. 

The 37-year-old four-time All-Star holds a career ERA of 3.43 along with 2,560 strikeouts over his 15 years in the bigs. He also has a World Series ring from the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies. The hopes of adding one with the 2021 Dodgers are now done. 

Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports