Hamels throws ‘pen session without issues

ARLINGTON — Left-hander Cole Hamels threw 26 pitches in his bullpen session on Monday without any issues and could return to the rotation as early as Saturday, against the Angels.

Hamels was scratched from Monday’s start against the Yankees because of a strained left hamstring but was able to throw off the mound in the bullpen for the first time since his most recent start, on Wednesday against the Astros.

“It went really good,” pitching coach Doug Brocail said. “They wrapped [his hamstring] so it was protected, but he stayed in his lane well and got down the mound well. It went really good.”

The Rangers will see how Hamels recovers on Tuesday, but the plan is for him to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday. If that goes well, he could start on Saturday.

The Rangers have not discussed putting Hamels on the disabled list because he has told them it’s not a serious issue.

“When he came to me for the first time, I thought, ‘Ten to 14 days, err on the side of precaution,'” Brocail said. “But if somebody knows their body, Cole knows his body better than anybody.”

The Rangers did make a roster move on Monday, optioning pitcher Nick Martinez to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for Cesar Ramos, …

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