So Cole Hamels exited Tuesday night's game with mid-back tightness. You may have heard or read about it by now.

So how is Hamels feeling today? Hey people, relax... it was just a few short hours ago that he talked about this.

That's how Hamels addressed reporters when approached this morning about the ailing back that forced him out of Tuesday's game in the middle of the eighth inning.

"Come on guys, it hasn't even been 12 hours," Hamels said. "It's not like I'm injured. I'll talk to you in five days."

And that was that.

Hamels will likely throw his normal, in-between-starts, side bullpen session Friday in Seattle. That would be the next best time to get a gauge on how is back is feeling.

Hamels is tied with Roy Halladay and Boston's Jon Lester for the major league lead with nine wins. His 2.49 ERA is fourth best in the NL and sixth best in baseball.

Hamels is 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA after getting booed off the mound in his first start of 2011.