Report: Dodgers Sign SP Cole Hamels to Major League Deal

Cole Hamels will join the Dodgers for the pennant race as Los Angeles battles San Francisco and San Diego for the NL West crown.

Pitcher Cole Hamels signed a contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Times' Mike DiGiovanna. 

Hoping to return to a Major League mound for the first time this year, Hamels will report to the Dodgers' team complex in Arizona to "build up arm strength" before joining the MLB club, according to DiGiovanna. The guarantee on Hamels's deal is $1 million, per ESPN's Buster Olney.

Can confirm, via source that #Dodgers are signing veteran LHP Cole Hamels to a major league deal. Hamels will report to team's AZ complex to build up arm strength first. @JonHeyman was on it.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 4, 2021

Deal is for $1M guaranteed plus $200K per start, as @Buster_ESPN and @BNightengale said. First to report signing was @JonHeyman. https://t.co/dwx9X7NWaJ

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 4, 2021

Hamels, 37, pitched just three innings in 2020, but he brings a wealth of experience to Los Angeles. The four-time All-Star won World Series MVP with the Phillies in '08, and he's tallied 163 career wins in 15 seasons. Hamels posted a 3.81 ERA with the Cubs in '19, his last full MLB season. 

The Dodgers' rotation has been a spot of instability for the defending World Series champions in 2021. Clayton Kershaw is still on the injured list with a shoulder injury, while Trevor Bauer is currently on administrative leave as MLB investigates sexual assault allegations against him. Pitcher Dustin May, 23, was slated to be a major part of Los Angeles's rotation as well in '21, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in May.

Last week, the Dodgers acquired Nationals ace Max Scherzer in a blockbuster trade. Scherzer is slated to make his Los Angeles debut Wednesday night. 

The Dodgers enter Wednesday night sitting in second place in the NL West. They trail the Giants by 3.5 games.