Hamels (oblique) could be cleared to make his first minor-league rehab start as early as Friday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Hamels has been able to get through some simulated innings during the Rangers' road trip, and if he recovers well from Tuesday's session, manager Jeff Banister indicated he'll likely Join Double-A Frisco for a rehab start Friday. Should that happen, Hamels would throw either four innings or 65 pitches before progressing from there. If all goes well for Hamels, he could rejoin the Rangers as early as June 26 against the Indians, though that remains a very tentative timetable. Either way, he appears to be progressing well from an oblique strain that has kept him sidelined since May 2.