CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels threw off the mound for the first time this spring on Wednesday morning, an important step in his eventual return to the rotation. Hamels made his first career opening day start in 2013 and is unlikely to be ready for the assignment this year. Hamels entered camp behind schedule after battling biceps soreness in November. He was told to stop throwing and halt his weightlifting program for the rest of the winter. On the mound, Hamels threw 35 pitches in his side session. "Very encouraging," manager Ryne Sandberg said. Although the Phillies expect Hamels to be ready at some point in April, they are not going to push him in an effort to get him to the mound on opening day or the first week of the season. "If you do that with a guy, hes pressing to get ready for one, and thats the last thing we want to do," pitching coach Bob McClure said. "Two, if hes only up to 60 pitches or something like that, now youre going to tax your bullpen. I know hes anxious because he feels so good. But I think we kind of need to take a cautious road here." McClure said Hamels looked "really, really good" in his workout. The 30-year-old Hamels is in the second season since signing the most lucrative contract in Phillies history, a six-year deal worth $144 million. Hamels often pitched in bad luck last year, racking up just one win in the seasons first two months. But he had a 2.68 ERA in the seasons final three months and reached the 200-inning plateau for the fourth straight season. Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, finished at 8-14 with a 3.60 ERA in 33 starts. Jarrad Davis Jersey . The biggest shock of this seasons competition was on when Watford took a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes at Etihad Stadium, only for a remarkable Aguero-led comeback by City in the final half-hour. The Argentina striker produced clinical finishes in the 60th and 79th minutes to level the score before Aleksandar Kolarov put City in front in the 87th. Marvin Jones Jr Womens Jersey . Appearing on TSN 690 Monday afternoon, Mike Babcock said he had conversations with both P.K. Subban and Carey Price about those on-ice traits during Hockey Canadas summer orientation camp. Mike Babcock: McGill experience, P. http://www.shopdetroitlionsnfl.com/lions-kerryon-johnson-black-jersey/ . Joakim Nordstrom and Garret Ross also scored for Chicago and Corey Crawford made 30 saves. Tomas Tatar scored twice for Red Wings (2-3-0), Jonathan Ericsson added a goal and Gustav Nyquist had three assists. Kerryon Johnson Womens Jersey . HABS HEADED TO CONFERENCE FINAL The Montreal Canadiens scored early in Game Seven, built a lead and protected it well on their way to a 3-1 series-clinching win over the Boston Bruins. While this game or series isnt necessarily a referendum on the value of fourth lines, the Canadiens certainly benefitted from production lower down their forward depth chart. Will Harris Womens Jersey . Hamilton signed offensive linemen Mike Filer, Joel Reinders, Landon Rice and Carson Rockhill.MILAN - AC Milan vice-president Barbara Berlusconi has not ruled out selling Italy striker Mario Balotelli. On Monday, Berlusconi says "Balotelli is a great player but in my mind I dont believe that someone can be irreplaceable, we will see what happens." Balotelli, who has four years left on his contract at Milan, has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with Arsenal reporrtedly interested.dddddddddddd The forward joined Milan from Manchester City in January 2013 and helped the club to a third-place finish in Serie A that season. Balotelli scored 14 goals in 30 league matches last season but Milan finished eighth and failed to qualify for Europe. The 23-year-old is currently at the World Cup in Brazil, where he has scored one goal in two matches. ' ' '