CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies star pitcher Cole Hamels is scheduled to leave training camp this afternoon and fly to Philadelphia to have his left elbow examined by the team physician.

"He's had a little bit of a persistent soreness in his elbow; we do not believe it's serious," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But at least at this time we thought it was important for Dr. (Michael) Ciccotti to check him out and see if there's anything more serious than we think it is."

Hamels, the World Series MVP last fall, went 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five postseason starts in October. The 25-year-old left-hander made his first Grapefruit League start Wednesday.

He pitched in an intra-squad game Sunday and didn't report any pain in four innings of work. Hamels said he feels tightness in his elbow between innings and after he's finished pitching for the day.

"I was able to throw yesterday," Hamels said. "It's just been that kind of mild discomfort, something I don't want to have to deal with during the season. So if we can figure it out and somehow lessen the inflammation and the discomfort, I'll be able to throw and be productive."

Hamels has a history of injuries. Last season he pitched 262 1/3 innings, marking the first season in his eight-year professional career that he avoided the disabled list.