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Hamels scratched with illness; Cloyd to debut

PHILADELPHIA -- Cole Hamels is sick, so Tyler Cloyd will make his big league debut on Wednesday night against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.

Yes, it's finally happening.

Phillies fans have been asking for weeks when Cloyd, an 18th-round pick of the Phillies in the 2008 Draft, would make his debut. Clearly, the Phillies were not in a rush to promote him. But with Hamels dealing with a stomach illness and Cloyd already scheduled to pitch on Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, it became an easy solution to promote Cloyd.

The right-hander is 12-1 with a 2.35 ERA in 22 starts this season with Lehigh Valley, and 15-1 overall in the Minor Leagues this season. He has allowed 105 hits, 38 walks and struck out 93 in 142 innings. Cloyd does not have great stuff -- his fastball is in the 85- to 89-mph range -- but he has been good enough to be named the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher.

It should be an interesting night at the ballpark.

The Phillies will announce a move to make room for Cloyd on the 25-man roster before the game.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Philadelphia Phillies, Tyler Cloyd, Cole Hamels