Cole Hamels was pulled from his previous start against the Red Sox after being hit by a line drive in the hand in the 4th inning. Subsequent x-rays were negative and Hamels feels good enough to make his scheduled start this evening against the Marlins. Hamels was named to the NL All Star team last week.
He will be opposed by Chris Volstad, who was touched up for eight runs in his last appearance against the Phillies. He’s just 2-4 with a 5.22 ERA in 11 career starts against the Phils. Volstad is 5-7 with a 5.01 ERA overall this season.
The Marlins are coming off a miserable June that saw them go 5-23 and tumble from second in the NL East to last place. They’ve dropped 8 of 10 to the Phillies this year and sit 15.5 games back to the division leaders.
Shane Victorino is expected to sit out for the third straight day with a third straight game with a thumb injury. Recently recalled John Mayberry Jr could see a start in his place this evening.
[Update by JasonB, 07/05/11 3:56 PM EDT ] Michael Martinez will play centerfield and bat second. Yes, second. Michael Martinez who is hitting .191 and getting on base in about 22% of of his plate appearances is hitting second.