Clearwater, FL (My Sportsbook) - Philadelphia Phillies star left-hander Cole Hamels has left spring training to have his sore pitching elbow examined.

Hamels flew back to Philadelphia on Monday to be looked at by team doctor Michael Ciccotti after having steady soreness in the elbow.

However, team general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. indicated it is not presently a serious issue, and the team is taking a cautious approach.

The Phillies signed Hamels to a three-year, $20.5 million contract in January, after the 25-year-old turned in the best season of his career in 2008.

Hamels made 33 regular-season starts and posted a 14-10 record with a 3.09 earned run average. He also had two shutouts and 196 strikeouts to just 53 walks in 227 1/3 innings, while opposing batters had just a .227 average and .272 on-base percentage against Hamels.

Hamels was even better in the postseason, going 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts, and was named MVP of both the NLCS and World Series.

The 17th pick of the 2002 draft, Hamels has made 84 career starts over three seasons for the Phillies, going 38-23 with a 3.43 ERA.