Headlines

  • Juan Soto Open To Extension Discussions With Nationals
  • Nationals Exercise 2023 Options On Mike Rizzo, Dave Martinez
  • Mets To Activate Max Scherzer On Tuesday
  • A’s Designate Adam Kolarek, Option Cristian Pache
  • Blue Jays Sign Sergio Romo
  • Bryce Harper To Undergo Thumb Surgery
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Braves Expect Cole Hamels To Be Ready For Season

By Connor Byrne | June 24, 2020 at 3:31pm CDT

Left-hander Cole Hamels, one of the Braves’ key offseason acquisitions, dealt with shoulder irritation during the first version of spring training a few months ago. If not for the coronavirus forcing camp to shut down, and if the regular season would have started on schedule, Hamels would not have been ready to open 2020 in the Braves’ rotation. That’s no longer the case, though. With the season now on track to open in a month, Hamels should be part of Atlanta’s starting staff from the get-go, general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday (via Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

The Braves inked Hamels to a one-year, $18MM contract over the winter in the hopes that he’d help fill the voids left by Dallas Keuchel and Julio Teheran, capable innings eaters who departed in free agency. Hamels, 36, does have a long and successful track record as a workhorse in his own right, having tossed at least 200 innings in eight different seasons. However, injuries slowed Hamels last year as a member of the Cubs, with whom he amassed 141 2/3 frames (the second-lowest figure of his career) and logged a 3.81 ERA/4.09 FIP with 9.08 K/9 and 3.56 BB/9.

While Hamels no longer seems to be the front-end starter he was during his prime, there’s nothing to suggest he won’t give the reigning NL East champions respectable production this year. Barring any injuries during spring training 2.0, he’ll join Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz as locks in Atlanta’s staff. The fifth spot’s less certain, though Felix Hernandez, Kyle Wright and Sean Newcomb were all candidates for the role before the game’s abrupt halt.

Regardless of how the Braves’ season-opening rotation looks, Anthopoulos stated that he expects they’ll be conservative with their starters’ workloads for at least a couple turns, per Burns. That could mean appearances ranging from two to four innings at the outset of the campaign.

Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Atlanta Braves Cole Hamels

Nashville Sounds Exploring Possibility Of Hosting Free-Agent League
Main
Phillies Sign First-Rounder Mick Abel
View Comments (25)

Comments

  1. FattKemp

    2 years ago

    Why. 60 Games. Assuming you don’t get hurt, you get 12 starts. If they’re throwing out wild rules, throw this one out there: The Starting pitcher stays in for 130 pitches, 5 earned runs, 7 runs with at least 3 unearned, or an injury, whichever comes first. “Conservative workloads.” What a joke.

    Reply
    • johnrealtime

      2 years ago

      Why what? What wild rules? Strange comment

      Reply
  2. bravesfan

    2 years ago

    A short season with this now “experienced” youth, I expect the Braves to be very serious contenders this year. Honestly, I have sky high expectations… I fully expect to be in the World Series and anything else would be a failed season. If it was a full season, I’d hesitate to make that statement… but now… go get’em

    Reply
    • samthebravesfan

      2 years ago

      Bro, they could just as easily fall flat on their face. Don’t expect anything.

      Reply
    • Ironman_4life

      2 years ago

      There not even the best team in the division but I like the way they are headed. Before you call me stupid and all that , a team in that division just won WS.

      Reply
      • Brandon Sans

        2 years ago

        I don’t think you’re stupid, I just think the way you said it makes it seem Washington is head and shoulders above everyone else (which isn’t the case.)

        It’s going to be a dogfight this year because there’s far less time to bounce back from a poor start or slump. Where Atlanta may benefit the most is all their young arms having a longer rest and not having to put many innings on their arms.

        Assuming they’re handled correctly early, they shouldn’t suffer from any fatigue or soreness towards the end of the 60 and (hopefully) playoffs.

        Reply
      • RunDMC

        2 years ago

        Rendon-less WSH. Soto is the real deal but is he supposed to take up for Bryce AND Rendon? Can Howie keep up his nice stats as a reserve playing everyday? Stras stay healthy/productive not in a contract year? That bullpen still has a lot of question marks. They’ll benefit less from the short season. ATL has excelled in divisional games moreso than other teams, and in particular vs. WSH, so bring them on.

        Reply
      • UGA_Steve

        2 years ago

        Not a stupid remark at all. Washington still will be very good. Their starting rotation is just top notch.

        The Braves strength might lie in the one thing not mentioned in many articles .. the bullpen. I could see the pens being used heavily and on paper the Braves probably have one of the best in the majors now. I foresee the Braves limiting starters innings early and rolling at the pen in force.

        Melancon
        Smith
        Green
        Jackson
        Martin
        O’Day
        Minter

        Newcomb – I just think with the short season the Braves will put him in the pen and give Feliz the 5th spot. More so to have a matchup lefty that can still go three outs.

        Touissant – Some as Newcomb, but not so much for matchups as the fact he is very hard to hit first time through. Big concern for him is whether his control is on or not each time. He may never be a starter if he can’t go more than two innings without his delivery falling apart. Even with the modified 100% from-the stretch delivery he went to he seemed to lose it after a couple of innings.

        The above doesn’t include taxi guys like:
        Webb
        Tomlin
        Dayton
        Wiegel
        Sobotka

        The Braves bullpen was really good last year though many didn’t give them credit, but the late season additions and Smith should make them even better and deeper. That could be huge in a short season sprint.

        Reply
    • stretch123

      2 years ago

      Braves will not be doing anything this year. Phillies will win the division this year.

      Reply
      • DTD_ATL

        2 years ago

        Lol, good joke

        Reply
      • John Kappel

        2 years ago

        With what pitchers?

        Reply
    • MJ

      2 years ago

      Not sure how anyone can even take the 2020 champion seriously.

      60 game season
      16 team playoff

      Not to mention the almost certainty of players testing positive and being held out of action for 2 week stretches. Basically going to turn into a game of luck for who has a full major league roster from week to week instead of half major league half minor league.

      I’m seriously hoping this is NOT the year the Braves win. I’ve waited a long time to see them win again since 95 and I’d rather it not go down on a year like this.

      I’m happy to have some baseball back but I personally view 2020 as a weird extended spring training for 2021 of sorts.

      Reply
      • dunnetg

        2 years ago

        Okay.

        Reply
      • mike127

        2 years ago

        MJ–whether it’s 60 games or 162 it’s the same for everyone and they all know the rules…. except for you that won’t take it seriously with your made up extra six teams in the playoffs. Newsflash—ten teams in the playoffs, not 16.

        I hope they Braves don’t with either.

        Reply
      • The Human Rain Delay

        2 years ago

        Playoffs are standard this year

        Reply
      • Manfredsajoke

        2 years ago

        I think they should just play 60 games with no playoffs. Who can honestly say their team earned a World Series Championship in a 60 game season. It’s laughable.

        Reply
    • jkurk_22

      2 years ago

      The 2020 season is a failed season regardless

      Reply
  3. samthebravesfan

    2 years ago

    Well he’s had long enough to recover. He darn well should be ready. Not like I expect the season to be completed but still.

    Reply
    • slowcurve

      2 years ago

      I stopped reading at “darn”.

      Reply
  4. Halo11Fan

    2 years ago

    Starting pitchers start 12 games. It changes everything. Teams with talented young pitcher who were/are injury risks are now completely different teams.

    Inning eaters are not nearly as valuable as they typically are.

    It’s a whole new ballgame. I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

    Reply
    • John Kappel

      2 years ago

      Honestly, the White Sox are the team to look at. tons of pitching like the Braves. but the zips projections have the Sox the biggest boost after the 60 game season was announced

      Reply
  5. of9376

    2 years ago

    Should go to 4 man rotations considering your ace will only get 12 starts a year.

    Reply
    • bravos4evr

      2 years ago

      i agree. use a 5th man every 2,weeks. get your best 2 guys 15 start each split the other half among the rest.

      Reply
    • Brandon Sans

      2 years ago

      It’s a possibility, but not sure if longer lay-off + more regular usage doesn’t equal more injuries. I’d say the first 15-20 games teams will be cautious with their arms before getting back in a regular rhythm.

      Reply
  6. braveshomer

    2 years ago

    How many times are we gonna see a Starter get yanked right before a game b/c he tests positive for Covid whether pitcher or position player. Teams with good Depth is who will win it all cuz I highly doubt any team will have the orginal starting lineup night in and night out…crazy times we’re in

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Juan Soto Open To Extension Discussions With Nationals

    Nationals Exercise 2023 Options On Mike Rizzo, Dave Martinez

    Mets To Activate Max Scherzer On Tuesday

    A’s Designate Adam Kolarek, Option Cristian Pache

    Blue Jays Sign Sergio Romo

    Bryce Harper To Undergo Thumb Surgery

    Royals Trade Carlos Santana To Mariners, Promote Vinnie Pasquantino

    Major League Baseball Issues 12 Suspensions For Angels – Mariners Brawl

    Cardinals Place Jack Flaherty, Harrison Bader On Injured List

    Bryce Harper Fractures Left Thumb

    Phillies Select Mark Appel

    Daniel Hudson Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury

    Salvador Perez Undergoes Thumb Surgery

    Cubs Designate Jonathan Villar For Assignment

    Yankees, Aaron Judge Avoid Arbitration

    Recent

    Dodgers To Activate Mookie Betts From 10-Day Injured List Sunday

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Cubs Notes: Mills, Stroman, Smyly, Suzuki

    AL Central Notes: Twins, Guardians, Blitzer, Ilitch, Tigers

    Red Sox Place Rich Hill On 15-Day IL

    Aaron Barrett To Retire

    Juan Soto Open To Extension Discussions With Nationals

    Mookie Betts Could Return Tomorrow, May Play Second Base Initially

    Jacob deGrom To Begin Minor League Rehab Assignment

    Royals Activate Joel Payamps, Outright Daniel Mengden

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Story Rumors
    • Frankie Montas Rumors
    • Michael Conforto Rumors
    • Arbitration Tracker
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version