"No real surprise here, but Rich Harden is officially out of the fifth-starter race, at least this spring.

Harden said he expects to start throwing off the mound again Tuesday, but that will make it a full month since he was shut down with lat-muscle stiffness. Though Harden said he doesn't feel he'll be very far behind the others, because he believes his arm strength is good, manager Bob Geren said Saturday that Harden won't be ready in time.

"Yeah, there is not time for that," Geren said.

Harden might still be a candidate for the bullpen, or the A's could elect to have him remain at extended spring training to get stretched out to start."