Cole Hamels Set to Begin Throwing Program Friday in Recovery From Oblique Injury

The Cubs just got some fairly promising injury news.

Cole Hamels suffered a left oblique strain in late June, expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. He suffered the injury during a start against the Cincinnati Reds, being pulled after just one inning. The veteran is set to start a throwing program Friday, where he will throw from flat ground.

The timetable for Hamels return is late July at the absolute earliest, but that seems very unlikely. He suffered a similar injury with the Texas Rangers in 2016 and it cost him two months. Hamels will be careful and not rush himself back into the rotation this time around.

The Cubs need Hamels back in the worst way. He was by far their best starter this season, putting together a 6-3 record with a 2.98 ERA in 98 innings, and since his arrival in Chicago last season, he has pitched to a 2.71 ERA. Their starting pitching this season has been far from stellar, with Yu Darvish and Jose Quintana having sub-par seasons and Kyle Hendricks previously missing some time with an injury.

The Cubs will look to thrive without their ace, but it will be difficult. Out of the All-Star break their first six games are all against division rivals and given the tight NL Central race, they can't afford any blowups from the rotation.