Cole Hamels Most Likely Will Miss Opening Day

So the bad news has already started for the Phillies.

Cole Hamels spoke to the media today and reveled that he is behind schedule with his throwing program, after dealing with left shoulder tendinitis over the winter and most likely won't be ready for Opening Day.  He added that isn't throwing off mound yet, but could be ready shortly after season starts.

The good news is that Hamels claims to be fine now, but he's 8-10 days away from throwing a bullpen session and it's unclear when he'll be ready for game action.

Overall, this is not what the Phillies were hoping to hear the first day pitcherds and catchers report.  A team that is counting on so-many older players to remain injury free - one of the guys they are counting on already has issues, before he has even stepped on the mound.

Philly's 4.32 team ERA ranked 27th out of 30 this year - and losing Hamles for anytime period won't help fix that number - even though Hamels' season ended with an 8-14 record and 3.60 ERA.