Cole Hamels reportedly 'planning to pitch again'

Cole Hamels apparently isn't ready to hang them up just yet.

The former four-time All-Star and World Series MVP is looking to make a comeback, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. He also reports that Hamels, who last pitched in the majors in 2020, does not yet have a target date set.

The last time we saw Hamels on a big league mound was in 2020, when he started a September game for the Braves. He threw just 3 1/3 innings, however, and didn't make another appearance that year.

If Hamels can regain even a fraction of the ability he displayed in the past, he could present intriguing back-end rotation potential or even offer a chance to contribute out of the bullpen. He was effective as recently as 2019, when he put together a 3.81 ERA over 27 starts with the Cubs, striking out 143 batters over 141 2/3 innings.

Hamels, of course, is best known for his time in Philadelphia, where he began his career back in 2006. Over 10 seasons with the Phillies, he compiled a 3.30 ERA and averaged 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He was an All-Star in 2007, 2011 and 2012, and finished in the top eight of Cy Young voting four times. He also helped lead the Phils to the 2008 World Series, where he received MVP honors.

In 2015, the Phillies traded Hamels to the Rangers midseason. He played the next three-and-a-half years for Texas, being named an All-Star in 2016 and never logging higher than a 4.20 ERA before being traded to the Cubs in 2019.