Phillies Notes: Hamels not a fan of All-Star Game pitching rule

PHOENIX - The way Cole Hamels sees it, he's throwing anyway on Tuesday, so why not let him pitch in the All-Star Game?

"I need to find a catcher," Hamels quipped. "Maybe I'll get [Atlanta's Brian] McCann."

That's because Hamels will throw a side bullpen session at Chase Field sometime before the 82d All-Star Game, an event he is prohibited from participating in. Why? He started Sunday, and that immediately meant he needed to be replaced on the National League roster. The rule was put in place by Major-league Baseball last season.

Hamels is not a fan.

"I'd love to pitch," Hamels said. "Tuesday is a bullpen day. It's usually the day I feel the best. It's one of those things where people who don't play the game make the rules. I don't think they understand the way we work out and how we train. When you come, you want to play. Most of us are pretty smart; we're not going to injure ourselves in an All-Star Game.

"I'd be all for it. I have to throw a bullpen anyway. And it's only one inning. That's the thing. It's not like I'm going out to throw 60 pitches. As strenuous as it is, we're built to throw hundreds and 25 is nothing."

Hamels will start Saturday against the Mets in New York. Vance Worley will pitch the first game after the break and Cliff Lee is expected to start the series finale on Sunday.

Bell a target?

Heath Bell drew a crowd during Monday's media day. The San Diego closer figures to be traded before the July 31 deadline and the Phillies are a logical destination.

Bell acknowledged as much Monday.

"I'm going to work my butt off and give everything I have to the San Diego Padres," Bell said. "When they tell me that I'm in Philly or St. Louis or Texas or the Yankees or the Angels, whoever it is, I'm going to give my heart and soul to that team."

Bell said he'd be willing to serve as a setup man for a contending team this season but will seek a closing job in free agency this winter. Bell, 33, has a 2.43 ERA with 26 saves this season. He is an all-star for the third straight year.

If Jose Contreras' elbow issue is serious, which is certainly a possibility, the Phillies could seek insurance for the back of the bullpen. Any contribution from Brad Lidge is questionable. Antonio Bastardo has been fantastic but is only six innings away from equaling his 2010 total. And Michael Stutes is more than halfway to his 2010 total.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is on record as saying he'd prefer to add a relief arm before a bat.