Cole Hamels to sign minor-league deal with Padres
Cole Hamels is headed home as he attempts his third comeback in four years.
Hamels has agreed to a minor-league contract with the San Diego Padres, according to Free-agent pitcher Cole Hamels and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a minor-league contract, according to a source familiar with the deal.
Hamels, 39, has appeared in just one big-league game over the last three years. After finishing the 2019 season with the Cubs, he signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the Braves for 2020. He suffered a shoulder injury in spring training and made one start for Atlanta in the pandemic-shortened 60-game season.
The next year, 2021, he signed with the Dodgers in August for $1 million and was placed on the 60-day injured list 12 days later with arm pain, ending his season.
The Padres are taking a low-risk flier on Hamels, a San Diego native and Rancho Bernardo HS alum. Things didnt work out for Hollywood with the Dodgers, but perhaps he can end his career on his own terms with the Padres.
Hamels last full season was 2019 when he went 7-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts with the Cubs, striking out more than a batter per inning. In 15 big-league seasons, 10 with the Phillies, Hamels is 163-122 with a 3.43 ERA. He has an even lower ERA (3.41) in 100 1/3 postseason innings. His 163 wins are tied with Roy Oswalt, one behind A.J. Burnett. The only five active pitchers with more are Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright.
