A few quick notes from the 20-minute presser Cole Hamels just finished with the media:

- After spending the previous winter "on the press tour" following a World Series MVP, and thus, not enough time on training his arm and body, the 26-year-old lefty has thrown all winter long, about 50 throws per day. He even would take baseballs on vacation.

- The fresh left limb should have a big impact on what Hamels can do this spring. Last year, for example, he spent the first week working the stiffness out of his arm and then suffered a minor elbow injury. He couldn't work on anything. This year, he's already in the mode where he can throw with ease, which will allow him ample time to work on improving his third pitch, the curveball.


- Could Hamels go from a two-pitch pitcher to a four-pitch pitcher in a single year? It's possible. He spoke to Steve Carlton last year during the playoffs and then a couple times over the winter about a cutter. (He also spoke with Cliff Lee and John Wetteland about the pitch. Hamels is looking forward to testing it on Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez when live BP begins in the next week.

More from Hamels in the paper (and in the online story, of course).