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Cole Hamels won’t make his first start for the Cubs until Wednesday in Pittsburgh, but he is officially a member of the team as of now:
#Cubs add Cole Hamels to active roster. Cory Mazzoni optioned to @IowaCubs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 29, 2018
Hamels will wear uniform No. 35 and is scheduled to make his 1st start for the #Cubs on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) July 29, 2018
On the first note, Cory Mazzoni threw a scoreless inning Saturday and so likely wasn’t going to pitch in Sunday’s game.
Regarding Hamels’ uniform number, he has worn No. 35 for his entire major-league career. No. 35 has been worn by bullpen coach Lester Strode since 2007. Since Strode doesn’t usually appear on the field, and since when he does he’s usually wearing a pullover and not a jersey (and because they don’t really sell any STRODE 35 replica jerseys), Strode has given up the number, for now. When Hamels moves on, I suspect Strode takes it back.
According to the cubs.com list of team coaches, Strode is now wearing No. 00, which has never before been worn by any Cub, player or coach.
The last player to wear No. 35 before now was Randall Simon in 2003.