Cubs' Cole Hamels leaves after 1 inning vs Reds
Starting pitcher Cole Hamels of the Chicago Cubs pitches during the second inning of the MLB spring training game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on February 27, 2019 in Surprise, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI (AP) - Left-hander Cole Hamels was pulled after only one inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night because of discomfort in his side, the latest blow to a Chicago Cubs rotation already missing Kyle Hendricks.
Hamels struggled with his control, throwing 22 pitches. He gave up two singles, a walk and a run in the inning. He left after trying to warm up for the second inning.
It was a huge break for the last-place Reds. Hamels was 11-1 in 17 career starts against Cincinnati.
Hamels went seven innings in each of his previous five starts. He had a 1.00 ERA over that span, allowing four earned runs.
Hendricks is on the injured list with a sore right shoulder. He's expected to throw in the bullpen on Saturday and could return before the All-Star break.