Cole Hamels Scratched From Saturday's Start Due to Shoulder Fatigue

If you watched Cole Hamels struggle on the bump against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, it quickly became evident that something about the veteran southpaw was off.

Well, roughly 24 hours before his next outing on Saturday, the Chicago Cubs announced that the four-time All-Star will be scratched due to fatigue in his throwing shoulder.

Hamels surrendered two runs on just three hits while striking out four against Cincy on Monday, but lasted just 3.1 innings. He struggled with command on virtually all of his pitches as he conceded five base on balls.

Simply put, he was laboring all night and was ultimately pulled from the game after 73 pitches, marking the third start in a row that he failed to last at least five innings.

Joe Maddon and Co. had better hope that the ailment is nothing more than soreness and that Hamels is only forced to miss one start. The Cubbies have a chance to overtake the Cards in the NL Central with a sweep this weekend and the club is tied with the Brewers for the second NL Wild Card spot.

With roughly two weeks left in 2019, Chicago cannot afford to see Hamels sidelined down the stretch.