Hamels scheduled for 'pen session this week

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday at Bright House Field, his first in 11 days. Hamels opened camp last month behind schedule after feeling discomfort in his left shoulder in November. He had been progressing nicely until he said his arm never bounced back following a March 1 bullpen session. He has not thrown off a mound since.

Hamels will open the season on the disabled list. It seems unlikely he will pitch in April, although the Phillies and Hamels have offered no timetable for his return.

"I wouldn't say it's painful," Hamels said last week. "I think ultimately when people think about the shoulder and not being able to throw a baseball, they think injuries, tears, the pain indication. It's not that. It's really tired, and it was kind of more difficult to go through the throwing motion, let alone try to throw something very competitive."

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Hamels "doesn't have any structural damage."