"Oft-injured pitcher Rich Harden probably is off the board as far as beginning the season as the fifth starter for the A's.

Harden has essentially missed a month of spring training since being shut down shortly after camp opened in mid-February because of a side-muscle injury. He is now doing long-toss and has made progress but has yet to throw off a mound. While that might happen as early as next week, it's unlikely Harden will be ready by the start of the season.

"There isn't time for that," manager Bob Geren said. "He hasn't even been on the mound yet, and we leave for San Francisco in a couple of weeks."

Because of his past major league success -- significantly more than any of the other five remaining candidates -- Harden still could become the fifth man. With Harden, there's always the chance for setbacks, but it's likely he will continue in extended spring training after the A's head north.

Even though Geren called it a "real nice competition" that could go down to the final week, the No. 5 starter might be sorting itself out. Guillermo Moscoso, who the manager said had pitched his way into the mix, struggled Saturday in a 10-2 loss to the Mariners. Moscoso started and gave up six hits, three walks and four runs over three innings.

Slightly better was Bobby Cramer, who has missed the past couple of days with an illness. Cramer gave up two runs in two innings, including a long homer to center by Justin Smoak. Cramer declared Tyson Ross and Brandon McCarthy as the guys he has to outperform to become the fifth starter. Josh Outman is the sixth candidate."