Cole Hamels pitched 42 pitches in 2 2/3 innings on Monday and gave up two runs on two hits. But he’s itching to increase his workload.

“I wish I could go more,” Hamels said after Monday’s 8-4 Grapefruit League loss to Cincinnati. “But I know that’s not the name of the game. Mentally, you want to go, but your body is not ready.”

How is he feeling so far?

“I’m not there yet,” he said. “[On a scale of] one to 10, I’m definitely at a three or four, but to be at that stage in your second start is pretty good.”

Hamels just wants the season to start at this point so he can return to form.

“I don’t think my arm strength comes until I get under the lights,” Hamels said.

The NL East would prefer that his arm strength never comes at all.