The Los Angeles Dodgers added veteran left-hander Cole Hamels on Aug. 4 with the hope that he would provide the club with some much-needed pitching depth down the stretch as the team pursued its second consecutive World Series title.
Less than two weeks later, that plan has come to an unfortunate end.
The Dodgers placed Hamels on the 60-day injured list on Monday, which will bring his brief 2021 season to a close. The 37-year-old had reportedly experienced arm pain while throwing in a simulated game a few weeks ago and a similar pain emerged again more recently.
At that point, the Dodgers decided to cut their losses and let Hamels focus on getting healthy.
Los Angeles will still be on the hook for $1 million after they agreed to pay the four-time All-Star that amount for the remainder of the year when they signed him 12 days ago. Although the money isn’t an issue for the Dodgers, it has to sting to see a player that they hoped would bolster their rotation go down for the rest of the year.
Cole Hamels had arm pain again and is done for the year while the #Dodgers are on the hook for $1 million.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 17, 2021
Hamels has now pitched only 3.1 innings over the last two season as injuries have derailed his career. However, he’s raked in hefty paycheck from the Atlanta Braves and now the Dodgers during that time.
Some baseball fans pointed that Hamels has been able to cash in over the last few years despite his injuries when the news broke of his move to the injured list on Monday. Others expressed concern for him as a player, while Dodgers fans stressed about what this might mean for their rotation depth come the postseason.
August 4: Dodgers sign Cole Hamels to a deal that guarantees him $1M.
August 16: Hamels arm hurts while throwing. Doesn’t throw a pitch in a game. Season over.
Hamels walks away with $1 million.
Ski Mask Hall of Fame.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 17, 2021
#Dodgers signing Cole Hamels only to suffer a season ending injury without ever throwing a single pitch for them is so 2021 Dodgers and the ultimate stocking stuffer for this hot mess.
— Klein25 (@Klein25) August 17, 2021
Cole Hamels was supposed to throw a two-inning simulated game a couple of weeks ago. They shut it down after one inning. #Dodgers said it was part of the plan. Now the comeback is over.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) August 17, 2021
Cole Hamels has pitched about 3 innings last 2 years and has gotten paid $9 million USD lol https://t.co/CWjyNiXXNJ
— Ricky (@Ricky_Torres13) August 17, 2021
Ugh. The Cole Hamels comeback is over. This 60-day move ends his season. https://t.co/3HCqsuzhod
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) August 17, 2021
I hate seeing Cole Hamels go out with an injury to end his season. Nothing but love always for my World Series MVP.
WFC forever. ♥️⚾️
— Brooklyn (@Brookie425) August 17, 2021
Wow. Dodgers placed Cole Hamels on the 60-day injured list pic.twitter.com/nn1pPMmSLV
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) August 17, 2021
Without Hamels, the Dodgers will need to lean heavily on the arms they do have on the roster as of mid-August to carry them through the postseason.
Los Angeles (72-46) currently sits in second place in the National League West, four games back of the San Francisco Giants.
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