Braves rotation takes major hit as Cole Hamels is done for season

Big free agent acquisition Cole Hamels is done for the year in the final week of the 2020 regular season.

Last MLB postseason, the Atlanta Braves were embarrassed by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Divisional Series. That winter, general manager Alex Anthopoulos decided to make additions that would put the team over the edge. that was when the team signed former Chicago Cubs starter Cole Hamels to bolster their pitching rotation. Hamels dealt with injuries following the signing and just as he returned, he’s back on the sidelines again.

On Monday, Anthopoulos announced that Hamels has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to left shoulder fatigue and his season is over. Anthopoulos also said that Hamels will not be returning for the postseason and that he contacted the league to inform them that the left-hander won’t be in their player pool.

Hamels’ season done before it really even started

Hamels was initially scheduled to pitch on Tuesday during Atlanta’s pivotal series against the Miami Marlins. He recently pitched a bullpen session and told the team that his arm wasn’t feeling strong. It was quite the far cry from how Hamels felt after pitching last Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Prior to the start of spring training, Hamels was dealing similar shoulder fatigue. Then, once summer camp began in July, Hamels was diagnosed with triceps tendinitis. Now, two months later, Hamels experienced weakness in his pitching shoulder again. Not ideal for a player that’s being paid $18 million for the 2020 season.

In Hamels’ lone start this season, he struck out two batters and accumulated a 8.10 ERA in 3.1 innings of work against the Orioles.

The Braves have been holding out hope that Hamels could return for fall ball and help lift the team to the World Series this year. But it just wasn’t in the cards, as his season is over before it ever got started.