Rich Harden is a Bit Injury Prone

Look out! Rich Harden is hurt again.

The Oakland Athletics righty is expected to miss two weeks of Spring Training after experiencing "stiffness" in the lat muscle just below his pitching arm after tossing in the neighborhood of 15 pitches. Two days later, manager Bob Geren relayed the news that he won't be pitching again until he's pain-free.

Bad news for the 29-year-old Harden, who is back for a second stint with the Athletics and hoping to make it into the rotation. What's worse is that it seems to be quite a stiff competition for the fifth starter spot.

Harden signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract back in December to rejoin the A’s after going 5-5 with a 5.58 ERA in 20 appearances with the Texas Rangers during an injury-ridden 2010 season. After beginning the season as the Rangers’ No. 2 starter, he walked 62 batters in 92 innings.

Yikes. Good luck with that lat muscle Rich!

[MLB]

Rich Harden Reunites with Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have brought Rich Harden back to his roots. The pitcher finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the team Tuesday after passing his physical.

Harden, who went 5-5 with a 5.58 ERA in 20 appearances with the American League champion Texas Rangers, was designated for assignment immediately after the regular season ended due to control and injury issues. He kicked off the year as the team's no. 2 starter, but ended up walking 62 batters in 92 innings (sucking sound.)

Cubs Love Their Harden

The Chicago Cubs exercised Rich Harden's $7 million option Wednesday, keeping the right-hander around for 2009.

Harden, acquired by the Cubbies in early July from the Oakland Athletics, lost Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday night, his final game of 2008.

Yep, Still Awesome

The Chicago Cubs continue to dominate, keeping things interesting and Brewers fans sweating.

After Tuesday's 5-0 victory over Dusty Baker and the Cincinnati Reds, the NL Central-leading Cubs (77-48) improved to a season-high 29 games over .500, winning their last 7-of-8 and 17-of-21.

We Love Men Who Take Charge

Like the Chicago Cubs, for instance, who are taking charge of the NL Central. Now holding a four-game lead over the once-surging Milwaukee Brewers, the North-Siders are enjoying some hitting on the part of Alfonso Soriano and some lights-out pitching by guys like Ryan Fricking Dempster, who is 12-4 with a 2.90 ERA.

Cubbies Have a Harden

The Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed pitcher (and left-handed batter) Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade Tuesday, along with righty Chad Gaudin in exchange for right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor league catcher Josh Donaldson.

The injury-prone Harden, who becomes eligible for free agency after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA over 13 starts this season, and is set to make $4.75 million for his services. He’s scheduled to pitch either Friday or Saturday night at his new home, Wrigley Field, against the San Francisco Giants.

Eleven Reasons to Love Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee enjoyed yet another fantastic outing for the Cleveland Indians Thursday, striking out a career-high eleven San Francisco Giants over eight solid innings to earn his eleventh victory and help his club avoid a three-game sweep.

This marks the fourth time Lee has ended a three-game skid for the Tribe. At this point in time, I think it's safe to say we're all a little surprised (pleasantly or no) by the 29-year-old lefty's consistency. You know, he hasn't gone back to his sucktastic ways yet.

Rich Harden is Broken Again

Retroactive to April 3rd, the Oakland Athletics placed injury-plagued Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list Thursday.

Harden's 1-0 record and 0.82 ERA over two starts was exactly the kind of beginning to the season Oakland had been hoping for out of Harden, but he was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday after straining a muscle below his right shoulder blade. There was talk of the 26-year-old righty being ready in time to face the Cleveland Indians this Saturday, but he was still throwing from flat ground before Wednesday's game and still complaining of soreness.

The trip to the DL marks the sixth time in the past four years Harden has been out of commission. Last season, he was held to just seven starts due to shoulder issues.

Lefty Lenny DiNardo is one option to replace Harden on Saturday, but nothing is set in stone. The club also called up right-hander Joey Devine from the AAA Sacramento Rivercats to take Harden's spot on the roster.

[Sports Network]