The Los Angeles Dodgers officially signed veteran southpaw Cole Hamels to a Major League contract for the remainder of the 2021 season, but he is still a few weeks away from making his debut with the team.
Last season, the now-37-year-old only made one start for the Atlanta Braves before he was shut down with shoulder inflammation and fatigue. Hamels held a showcase prior to signing with the Dodgers, and over the weekend threw in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium.
Hamels otherwise is expected to continue stretching out at the team’s Camelback Ranch facility in Arizona.
According to the Associated Press, the Dodgers must add Hamels to their active roster by Sept. 2:
He agreed to accept an optional assignment to the minors, and the team agreed to recall him no later than Sept. 2.
When Hamels is recalled, it should help the Dodgers limit the usage of Julio Urias, who has already set his career high in innings pitched. Hamels will provide much-needed depth as Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin aren’t exactly on the verge of returning.
Kershaw was just transferred to the 60-day injured list and is not eligible to be activated until Sept. 5.
While Hamels may not be ready until September anyway, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he needed to get to a base of five innings before the club could insert him into the rotation.
Hamels is the third starter the Dodgers have added of late, along with Max Scherzer and Danny Duffy, the latter of whom was also transferred to the 60-day IL.
In his last full season with the Chicago Cubs in 2019, Hamels pitched to a 3.81 ERA, 4.09 FIP and 1.40 WHIP across 27 starts.
He holds a career 3.43 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 51.6 WAR in 422 starts and one relief appearance. In 2,698 innings pitched, Hamels has struck out 8.54 batters per nine and walked 2.56 per nine.
Hamels contract details
Hamels’ contract with the Dodgers is for a base salary of $1 million and includes a reportedly bonus for each start and relief appearances that are at least 3.1 innings.
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