Untitled Page

Rich Harden News & Rumors

Rich Harden has surgery on shoulder he hurt in 2007
February 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"For more than four years, Rich Harden pitched with a torn right shoulder capsule. That's the same injury that has put Johan Santana's career on hold, and that caused Dallas Braden to get surgery last summer. In Harden's case, the injury caused a significant drop in velocity, and led to numerous other physical problems as he compensated for pitching with an unstable shoulder. So last week, Harden, 30, decided to have his shoulder repaired, though there were some offers for the free-agent starter (most recently for the A's) this winter."
A's Rich Harden baffles Blue Jays in 2-0 win; Yankees, other teams interested
August 21
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Rich Harden was still in warm-up mode when Friday night's game began, or so it seemed when he made an error on Yunel Escobar's comebacker and then walked the next two batters to load the bases. A bad situation to be in right out of the gates, but Harden briskly got out of it, no problem, by striking out the side on nine pitches. From there, he baffled the Toronto hitters the rest of the evening in Oakland's 2-0 victory at the Coliseum. Harden worked seven innings and matched his career high with 11 strikeouts. "It was kind of an ugly start," Harden said. "I started feeling better with guys on base. Awful start." And then? "Everything kind of clicked. ... It could have gone the other way."
A's Rich Harden gets 1st win in home country
August 10
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Rich Harden gets plenty of attention in his home country, but he hadn't won a game in Canada, nor beaten the Blue Jays. On Tuesday night at Rogers Centre, Harden put on an excellent performance, striking out eight men in seven innings and allowing one run. Backed by homers by Josh Willingham and Kurt Suzuki, Harden earned his first career victory over Toronto as the A's bested the Blue Jays 4-1. "Wow, yeah, I was aware of my past performances here," said Harden, who had a 13.50 ERA in three previous starts at Toronto. "It felt good to get it out of the way." Oakland has won three consecutive road games for the first time in four months, going back to April 9-11. Manager Bob Melvin called"
Rich Harden, Oakland A's subdue Blue Jays
August 10
Oakland Tribune
 
"The home debut of Toronto Blue Jays rookie third baseman Brett Lawrie was the pregame storyline Tuesday at the Rogers Centre. As it turned out, another Canadian stole the show. A's right-hander Rich Harden was dominant over seven innings as Oakland won its third straight with a 4-1 victory before a crowd of 20,521. Harden came in 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA in eight previous starts against the Blue Jays, the only American League team besides Baltimore he had yet to beat. He allowed just five hits, struck out eight and walked two. "Stuff-wise, it was maybe the best he's pitched," A's manager Bob Melvin said. Harden's performance upstaged Lawrie, 21, a fellow British Columbia native who was 5 for 11"
Rich Harden trade to Red Sox reportedly falls through
July 31
Oakland Tribune
 
"Several media outlets out of Boston reported Saturday night that the A's had traded right-handed pitcher Rich Harden to the Red Sox for first base prospect Lars Anderson and a player to be named. But it's possible the deal may have fallen apart at the last minute. At least two Boston media outlets reported the deal was done, but after the game, Billy Beane refused to confirm or deny that a trade had been made, and Harden said he was told by the A's general manager that he was still a member of the team and would be making his scheduled start for Oakland on Tuesday in Seattle. Citing sources close to the negotiations, The Associated Press reported that the deal had fallen through. It's"
Melvin shuffles rotation with Harden on way
June 29
MLB.com
 
"A's manager Bob Melvin shuffled the team's rotation on Tuesday prior to the start of the A's nine-game homestand, paving the way for righty Rich Harden to make his first appearance of the season. Melvin moved righty Guillermo Moscoso into the starting spot for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, relegating fellow rookie Graham Godfrey to bullpen duties. The shuffle means that righty Trevor Cahill's next start will be in Thursday's series finale, and it sets up Harden for his Oakland debut on Friday against Arizona. Harden has been sidelined all season with a right lat muscle strain after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the A's, but has made two rehab starts with Triple-A"
Rich Harden shut down again due to lat muscle discomfort
March 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"I know, I know, you've read it all before and you're tired of it, but today's news is that Rich Harden, who'd been slated to throw off the mound tomorrow, instead has been shut down because of continued lat muscle discomfort. He's being sent to see Dr. Doug Freedberg. So there goes any shot at all at an Opening Day roster spot, including in the bullpen. Nobody's officially saying that, but Harden hasn't pitched off the mound in a month and the A's break camp in less than two weeks. It will be interesting to see what the plan is with Harden when he returns to full health - I'd guess getting him stretched out, because fifth-starter front-runner Brandon McCarthy also has a long injury"
Rich Harden waits to take mound
March 13
Oakland Tribune
 
"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"
Rich Harden out of A's rotation picture
March 13
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"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."
Rich Harden's return to mound pushed back 1 week
February 27
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Rich Harden had hoped to start throwing again today or Monday, but the A's, continuing their conservative approach to injuries this spring, decided to give the right-hander another week off. Manager Bob Geren described it as a full week, but Harden said he hopes it won't be quite that long, though he's OK with the decision to hold him back awhile. "We've got lots of time," he said. "It's the smart thing to do." Harden first felt lat stiffness under his right arm while throwing a bullpen session on Feb. 15, so he's looking at more than two weeks without throwing. That might make it difficult to win a spot on the roster, much less in the rotation."
Rich Harden out two weeks with strain under arm
February 17
Oakland Tribune
 
"The A's were dealt their first injury blow just three days into camp, as it was announced Thursday that right-hander Rich Harden will be shut down for two weeks with a strain under his right arm. Harden, a candidate to be the A's fifth starter, felt soreness in his right side while throwing off the mound Tuesday, and pitching coach Ron Romanick had him stop, manager Bob Geren said. The training staff monitored his status for two days before the decision to shelf him. "The exact words from (head trainer) Nick (Paparesta) was we'll wait until he's pain-free," Geren said. "It's estimated it would be two weeks." The A's have high hopes for this season, but they're getting an early and"
Harden returns to A's as candidate for bullpen
December 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Rich Harden, once one of the aces of Oakland's rotation, has agreed to a one-year deal with the club worth $1.5 million plus incentives, but the deal is pending a physical later in the week. That is not insignificant. Harden has been on the disabled list nine times in his career, and he went from starter to reliever to released by the Rangers last season. He was not on the postseason roster. The A's are looking at Harden primarily as a bullpen option, with former Texas starter Brandon McCarthy signed earlier in the week as a fifth-starter possibility. Many in baseball believe that Harden's fastball/changeup combo works best in relief and that that role also will help keep him healthy."
Report: Rich Harden strikes deal to return to Athletics
December 15
TSN.ca
 
"Canadian free agent Rich Harden looks to be rejoining the Oakland Athletics. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Victoria, B.C. native has agreed to a deal with the club that drafted him in 2000. According to SI.com, Harden will make $1.5 million plus incentives in 2011. Harden only managed to pitch a total of 92 innings in 2010 with the Texas Rangers because of shoulder tendinitis as well as a strained left gluteus muscle. He posted a 5.58 ERA and was left off the playoff roster."
Harden returning to Oakland Athletics?
December 15
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Rich Harden started his career with the Oakland Athletics and now it looks like the 29-year-old who spent last season with the Texas Rangers is headed back there. The Denver Post reports that Harden, who debuted with the A's back in 2003, is re-signing with Oakland after spending the last two full seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Rangers. The A's traded him to Chicago midway through 2008."
Rangers reach first World Series, end Yankees reign
October 23
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"High above Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, on a night when rain threatened to spoil the biggest night in Texas Rangers history, a breeze from the south blew steadily. The flags atop the home-run porch in right field were waving proudly late Friday, including the rookie of the bunch. It reads: 2010 American League Champions. The Rangers will play in the World Series for the first time in franchise history after closing out the AL Championship Series in Game 6 on Friday night with a 6-1 victory over the mighty New York Yankees. Colby Lewis allowed only a run on three hits in eight innings, and Vladimir Guerrero and Nelson Cruz came up big with two outs in a four-run fifth to help the Rangers"
Rangers designate Rich Harden for assignment, claim right-hander Ryan Tucker off waivers
October 7
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers have designated right-hander Rich Harden for assignment after claiming right-hander Ryan Tucker off waivers from Florida. Harden, who went 5-5 for the Rangers, was left off the postseason roster. The Rangers now have 10 days to trade, release or outright Harden to the minor leagues. Tucker, a right-hander, was 0-5 pitching in Triple A this year. He also made 23 appearances in Class A and one start for the Gulf Coast League Marlins."
Rich Harden and Cristian Guzman among Rangers told they won't play this postseason
October 4
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers will depart for Florida this morning and work out at Tropicana Field this afternoon and again on Tuesday. Game 1 is set for Wednesday afternoon. The Rangers will take 30 or 31 players with them to St. Petersburg, Fla., as their 25-man playoff roster remains unsettled because of injuries to outfielders Josh Hamilton and David Murphy. Hamilton, who wrapped up his first career batting title Sunday, appears to be fine, although his fractured ribs haven't healed completely. Murphy is battling a groin strain, which could lead the Rangers to utilize a 10-man pitching staff and 15 position players."
Rangers' Harden, now in bullpen, wanted one more start
September 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Right-hander Rich Harden was in the bullpen Tuesday, ready to contribute in a role he said he has considered filling in the past. "I feel like it fits my mentality," he said. But Harden still considers himself a starting pitcher and was hoping the Rangers would have given him at least one more start this season before taking him out of the rotation. Derek Holland will start Friday at Minnesota instead of Harden, who said he has been told that he will be a reliever the rest of the season."
Harden knows he has to build on success
August 25
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"As good as Texas starter Rich Harden was during his 6 2/3 no-hit innings Monday night, the right-hander knows none of that matters if he can't build off it in his next start."That's the most important thing," he said. "I've really got to go out and my next start is just as important as my last one. I've got to go out and get deep into the game and give the team a chance to win. I've got to put a string of starts like that together. It's something I haven't been able to do all season."Harden (5-4) has won consecutive starts just once this year. He's followed each of his last two victories with losses, and has pitched a total of 7 1/3 innings in those starts, allowing six earned runs.He's"
Rangers' Rich Harden heads to the DL for second time this season
August 16
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rangers right-hander Rich Harden, who was scheduled to pitch Tuesday against Tampa Bay, went on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis. Harden, who had been pushed back after a poor start at Oakland on Aug. 7, is eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 23. He could make a rehab start Tuesday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Right-hander Tommy Hunter will start Tuesday against Tampa Bay on three days' rest. Hunter pitched three innings Friday and was ill during the game. He threw a bullpen session Sunday and felt fine."
Rangers will likely push back Rick Harden's next sta rt
August 11
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has not decided who will start the series finale against Boston on Sunday, but he did say he will likely know today whether it will be C.J. Wilson, who started Tuesday against the Yankees, or Rich Harden.As the Rangers' rotation stands, Harden's next start would come Saturday. However, Washington has penciled Colby Lewis into that start, or at least he's done so on the dry-erase board in his office."Harden has been pushed back one day at least," Washington said. "I just want to get Colby in there. It will be six days for Colby [who last started Sunday in Oakland]."Harden (4-4, 5.45 in 15 starts) pitched Saturday in Oakland, where he lasted only 2 1/3"
Rangers could delay Rich Harden's next start
August 11
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rangers manager Ron Washington has yet to decide who will start the series finale against Boston on Sunday, but did say he would probably know today whether it would be C.J. Wilson, who started Tuesday against the Yankees, or Rich Harden. As the Rangers' rotation stands, Harden's next start would have come Saturday. But Washington has penciled Colby Lewis into that start, or at least he's done so on the dry-erase board in his office. "Harden has been pushed back one day at least," Washington said. "I just want to get Colby in there. It will be six days for Colby [who last started on Sunday in Oakland]." Harden (4-4, 5.45 in 14 starts) last pitched Saturday in Oakland, where he was pulled"
Harden remains available as Rangers' fifth starter
August 9
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Rich Harden will take the mound the next time the Texas Rangers need a fifth starter, manager Ron Washington said, but the rotation will be shuffled this week because of two off days.The soonest Harden would pitch again is Saturday against Boston. The Rangers, though, are off today and Thursday, and could skip his next turn or push him back as they line up their pitchers for a stretch of 20 consecutive games."With these off days, we're going to make some adjustments, but he's going to get the ball," Washington said. "We could skip him. That doesn't mean we will. But he's going to get the ball."Harden issued five walks and hit a batter in 2 1/3 innings Saturday as the Rangers lost 6-1. The"
Rangers keep options open for starting rotation
August 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rich Harden will pitch the next time the Rangers need a fifth starter, Washington said, but the rotation will be shuffled this week because of two off days. The soonest Harden could pitch again is Saturday against Boston. The Rangers, though, are off today and Thursday, and could skip his next turn or push him back as they line up their pitchers for a stretch of 20 consecutive games. "With these off days, we're going to make some adjustments, but he's going to get the ball," Washington said. "We could skip him. That doesn't mean we will. But he's going to get the ball." Harden walked five and hit a batter in 2 1/3 innings Saturday as the Rangers lost, 6-1. The right-hander threw 65"
Harden's wildness costs Texas Rangers in 6-2 loss to Oakland
August 8
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"No matter how it happened, whether by design or coincidence, Rich Harden and Derek Holland are on the same pitching schedule for the Texas Rangers and their Triple A affiliate.Scott Feldman would fall in line with them.The Rangers might have a decision to make among the three of those pitchers the next time Harden's fifth spot in the rotation comes up.The right-hander returned to the form he has shown much of the season Saturday afternoon, pitching wildly and ineffectively into only the third inning of a 6-2 loss to Oakland.Harden's outing was a reversal from the efficient, winning form he showed last weekend in his first start off the disabled list.His team is trying to win its first"
Harden shuts down Angels in 2-1 Rangers victory
August 1
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The Texas Rangers made five trades in July they hope can help the team make the playoffs.They made one transaction Saturday that could provide just as big a boost.Rich Harden, who hadn't pitched for the Rangers since June 11, was activated from the disabled list and then pitched the Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.Harden matched his longest start of the season, tossing an efficient seven innings, allowing one run on five hits along the way in a game that lasted just 2 hours, 11 minutes.The victory was just Harden's fourth of the season, but it moved the Rangers lead in the American League West back to 81/2 games.It also provided a glimpse of what the Rangers expected"
Rehab over, Harden set to return to Texas Rangers rotation
July 28
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Right-hander Rich Harden says he's ready to pitch in the major leagues after a successful rehab start Monday night.The Texas Rangers aren't sure what the next step is for Harden, but that decision could be made today."He's done what we asked him to do," manager Ron Washington said. "Now we just have a decision to make."Harden could pitch again as early as Saturday. Tommy Hunter is scheduled to start Saturday against Los Angeles on five days' rest. The Rangers could move him to Friday, and pitch Harden in Scott Feldman's spot. Feldman is the only starter with a record under .500 (5-9) and he has a 5.46 ERA.Harden was in Arlington on Tuesday after allowing two hits in six innings and"
Rangers' decision on what to do with Rich Harden could come today
July 28
Dallas Morning News
 
"Right-hander Rich Harden says he's ready to pitch in the major leagues after a successful rehab start Monday night. The Rangers aren't sure what the next step is for Harden, but that decision could be made today. "Something will be determined, we just haven't determined it yet," manager Ron Washington said. Harden, who has been on the disabled list since June 12 with a left gluteal strain, could pitch again as early as Saturday. Tommy Hunter is slated to start Saturday against Los Angeles on five days' rest. The Rangers could move him to Friday, and pitch Harden in Scott Feldman's spot. Feldman is the only Rangers starter with a record under .500 (5-9), and he has a 5.46 ERA. Harden was"
Rangers' Ian Kinsler on fire; Rich Harden rocked again in rehab start
July 22
Dallas Morning News
 
"Second baseman Ian Kinsler said that Michael Young, Vladimir Guerrero and Josh Hamilton are just as responsible as he is for his 14-game hitting streak. Kinsler, the Rangers' No. 3 hitter, said that a lifetime .302 hitter (Young) batting second and either the 2004 AL MVP (Guerrero) or the majors' best hitter this season (Hamilton) hitting fourth gives him quality pitches to hit. "My at-bats mean something," Kinsler said. "Every at-bat means something, but they mean a little more when guys are on base or you're trying to start a rally.""
Rangers pitchers Rich Harden, Derek Holland still working way back
July 18
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The acquisition of Cliff Lee gave the Rangers a full five-man rotation after spending a month plugging a vacancy with long reliever Dustin Nippert and rookie Omar Beltre.The pitcher Lee replaced is Rich Harden. The pitcher Tommy Hunter replaced in June is Derek Holland. Neither Lee or Hunter is going anywhere, and Harden and Holland currently have no guaranteed spot on the Rangers' roster."We're going to do whatever is best for the team, and ultimately get the 12 best guys up here," general manager Jon Daniels said.Harden (lower back) and Holland (shoulder, knee) have been on the 15-day disabled list for more than a month and are currently working their way back to health.Harden allowed"
Rangers' Harden throws bullpen session, says 'I can't wait to get out there'
July 2
Dallas Morning News
 
"The happiest player in the clubhouse Thursday was Rich Harden, who threw a 58-pitch bullpen session. He said he feels better with his fastball and mechanics than he has at any point since joining the team. Harden, on the disabled list since June 12 with a strained left gluteus muscle, threw only fastballs but believes it is a better pitch that will make his off-speed stuff more effective. He said he anticipates going out for a rehab assignment after one more bullpen session, which will include his change-up and slider."
Rangers' Harden mending from strain, eager for return
June 24
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The left gluteus muscle strain that landed Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list on June 12 is an ache the 28-year-old right-hander has dealt with for most of the season. It was something he said he could work with. But when it came to certain pitches it just didn't feel right.Recent steps appear to have already lessened the pain. An MRI the day after going on the disabled list (the third Rangers pitcher since May 12) showed no further damage. And an injection last week relieved the pain and inflammation enough that he's been able to throw off flat ground the last two days. "Looking forward to just getting after my throwing here and back into my training and lower body stuff," Harden"
Rangers' Rich Harden recovering from muscle strain
June 24
Dallas Morning News
 
"The left gluteal muscle strain that landed Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list June 12 is an ache the 28-year-old right-hander has dealt with most of the season. Steps taken in recent days appear to have already lessened the pain. An MRI exam the day after he went on the DL (the third Rangers pitcher to do so since May 12) showed no further damage. And an injection last week relieved the pain and inflammation enough that he's been able to throw off flat ground the last two days. Harden said he's "really looking forward to just get after my throwing here and get back into my training and lower body stuff.""
Rangers place Rich Harden on DL, recall Alexi Ogando
June 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers have placed RHP Rich Harden on the disabled list with a left gluteal muscle strain. To take his place on the roster, the Rangers have recalled RHP Alexi Ogando from Triple-A Oklahoma City . The Rangers can go without a fifth starter in their rotation until a week from today at Houston. It's possible they could return Ogando to the minors at that point and recall either RHP Doug Mathis or RHP Guillermo Moscoso or they could keep Ogando and pitch the game out of the bullpen with either LHP Matt Harrison or RHP Dustin Nippert getting the start."
Harden, Texas Rangers can't pull off sweep
June 7
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The drawing board, which Rich Harden has gone back to after most of his starts this season, can't have much room remaining for him to work out an answer to his sluggish performances.But he'll be back at it this week, trying to get opposing hitters to put the ball in play sooner and trying to get his pitch counts lower and trying to get deeper into games.That's been his goal since spring training. It's June now. Not even he seems to know where to turn next.Harden allowed four runs, three earned, in five long innings, and Tampa Bay pulled away late to salvage the series finale at Rangers Ballpark 9-5. The Rangers' lead in the AL West slipped to one-half game ahead of the Los Angeles Angels"
Clock's ticking on Rangers' Rich Harden as he struggles with pitch counts
June 7
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Evan Grant
"The Rangers arrived at a couple of important realizations during their weekend retreat to the Sweat Lodge in Arlington: • After some withering road losses to the AL's best teams, the Rangers realized they could stand toe-to-toe with AL East leader Tampa Bay, which owns the best record in baseball. • The clock is officially ticking on Rich Harden's time in the starting rotation. The Rangers won the first two games of the series. Once with a powerful comeback and once with an artful pitching exhibition. Only Harden's continued inability to get deep into a game kept the Rangers from sweeping the Rays. In what might elsewhere be described as torture, Harden kept his teammates and the"
Texas Rangers' Harden is winning his struggle
June 1
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Five days during the course of a six-month season seem like a relatively insignificant amount of time, except for a starting pitcher coming off a dismal performance.Rich Harden said his outing May 14 at Toronto was an embarrassment, one of the worst of his career. And he had to stew over it five days until he got a chance to redeem himself.Redemption didn't come in the form of two-hit shutouts May 19, or in his latest start May 25. Though the Texas Rangers won both games, Harden wasn't the pitcher of record against Baltimore or at Kansas City.Against the Royals, he allowed six runs.But the way Harden felt at Kauffman Stadium is how he hopes to feel the rest of the season, starting tonight"
Rangers' Rich Harden hoping adjustments help
June 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Five days during the course of a six-month season seems like a relatively insignificant amount of time. For a starting pitcher coming off a dismal performance, though, it can be an eternity. Rich Harden called his May 14 outing at Toronto an embarrassment, one of the worst of his career. And he had to stew over it for five days until he got a chance to redeem himself. Redemption didn't come in the form of sparkling performances. Although the Rangers won both of Harden's next two starts, he wasn't the pitcher of record against Baltimore and at Kansas City. Against the Royals, he allowed six runs. But the way Harden felt at Kauffman Stadium is how he hopes to feel the rest of the season,"
Rich Harden happy with recent off-speed stuff: 'The best I've had all year'
May 27
Dallas Morning News
 
"While Rich Harden wasn't pleased with the end result of his Tuesday start against the Royals, he had no problems with the pitching arsenal he had entering the game. "I felt I had some good command," Harden said. "My off-speed was solid, the best I've had all year. I feel like that's the best stuff I've had all year.""
Harden hopes to bounce back after 'embarrassing' start
May 19
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rich Harden called his last start against Toronto embarrassing. Harden couldn't hold a 9-3 lead, lasting just 2 2/3 innings in a 16-10 loss. He'll get a shot at redemption tonight when he starts against Baltimore. Harden, who is 2-1 with a season-high 4.93 ERA, has worked on his fastball command with pitching coach Mike Maddux and bullpen coach Andy Hawkins. "He just has to throw strikes," manager Ron Washington said. "If you keep it [the ball] in play, he'll be fine.""
Rich Harden pitches Texas Rangers to fourth straight win
May 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Rich Harden turned in his finest performance of the season, taking a no-hitter into the sixth and allowing just two hits in seven innings as the Texas Rangers won their fourth straight game, 4-2 over Oakland on Monday night.It was Harden's longest out of the season and the first time in six starts that the right-hander didn't issue a walk. He allowed only a double to Rajai Davis in the sixth and a single to Eric Chavez in the seventh.Chavez also reached in the second inning on a strange play that resulted in the ejection of Rangers manager Ron Washington.Harden fielded Chavez's chopper and took it to first base for the out. Umpires, though, decided that Harden missed the base and gave"
Back in Oakland with something to prove
May 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Gwen Knapp
"The fastball that could push a radar-gun reading over 100 mph is gone, perhaps forever. So are the green and gold letters on his jersey and the sense of limitless possibilities. But the Rich Harden who took the mound for the Rangers at the Coliseum on Monday night retained his boyish grin and more than enough talent to confound his former team. At 28, Harden's body has broken down so often and so badly, his career and confidence should be shattered by now. But Harden has picked up the shards and glued them back together. On Monday, his fastball consistently hit about 93 mph, better than in his first five starts this year. "One was 96 miles per hour, at least on that radar gun," noted"
Harden stifles A's in return to Oakland
May 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Oakland runs and hits were quite scarce until the late innings at the Coliseum on Monday night. Oakland fans were scarce throughout the evening. Rich Harden tossed seven innings of two-hit, shutout ball in his first appearance against his former team, and Texas knocked off the A's 4-2. The announced crowd of 8,874 was the smallest at the Coliseum since 6,295 came to a game against Seattle on April 3, 2003. It's also the first time the A's have had a crowd of fewer than 10,000 since that 2003 date. The fans who did show Monday night got to see Kevin Kouzmanoff launch a two-run homer off Frank Francisco with no outs in the ninth. That cut the A's deficit to 4-2, and when Francisco walked"
Texas Rangers pitcher Rich Harden dazzles A's, and only 8,874 are in attendance
May 4
Oakland Tribune
 
"Rich Harden was brilliant for the Texas Rangers on Monday night in his return to the Oakland Coliseum. And less than 9,000 people can say they saw it in person. A's manager Bob Geren didn't really see it coming, either. In his first start in Oakland since being traded by the A's less than two years ago, Harden pitched seven scoreless innings and finished with nine strikeouts to lead the Rangers to a 4-2 win before an announced crowd of 8,874. Harden struggled with his command through his first five starts of the season, issuing 23 walks in 23?2/3 innings. But he didn't walk anybody Monday, and his fastball that topped out at 96 mph was a season-high, according to Rangers manager Ron"
Rich Harden strikes out 9, allows just 2 hits in 7 shutout innings
May 4
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rich Harden turned in his finest performance of the season, taking a no-hitter into the sixth and allowing two hits in seven innings as the Rangers won their fourth straight game, 4-2 over Oakland on Monday night. It was Harden's longest outing of the season and the first time in six starts that the right-hander didn't issue a walk. He allowed only a double to Rajai Davis in the sixth and a single to Eric Chavez in the seventh. Chavez also reached base in the second inning on a strange play that resulted in the ejection of Rangers manager Ron Washington. Harden fielded Chavez's chopper and took it to first base for the out. The umpires, though, decided Harden missed the base and gave"
Rich Harden has incentive tonight in Oakland
May 3
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Rich Harden returns tonight to the place where his major-league career began, and the Texas Rangers' right-hander said he will have an extra dose of motivation when he starts for the first time against the Oakland Athletics.The right-hander was traded by Oakland to the Chicago Cubs in 2008. He went 36-19 with the A's, but was plagued by injuries in 2006 and 2007.He enjoys pitching at the spacious Oakland Coliseum, and will enjoy facing Oakland."You want to do well every game out there, but maybe a little more because it is your old team," Harden said. "It's going to be fun to get back there."Harden is also going to take the Nuke LaLoosh approach to pitching to the mound. Rather than"
Yankees take advantage of Rich Harden's wild day for Rangers
April 19
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Rich Harden is not meeting the expectations the Texas Rangers had in mind when they signed him in December to lead their starting rotation.To the right-hander's credit, though, he knows he must be better than he has shown in the first three starts with his new team.He has more walks (14) than innings (131/3).He twice has failed to go at least four innings.The Rangers are 1-2 when he is on the mound."I'm not happy with it," Harden said. "I need to pick it up."The most recent loss came Sunday at Yankee Stadium, when Harden issued six walks, hit two batters and gave up four runs in 32/3 innings en route to a 5-2 loss that completed a three-game sweep by the New York Yankees."Too many pitches."
Rich Harden hasn't lived up to Rangers' expectations
April 19
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rich Harden is not meeting the expectations the Rangers had in mind when they signed him to lead their starting rotation. To the right-hander's credit, though, he knows he must be better than he has shown in the first three starts with his new team. Harden (0-1) has lasted 3 2/3 , six and 3 2/3 innings in his first three starts. He has thrown 288 pitches to 66 batters. "I want to get ahead of hitters and be able to put them away faster," he said. "Sometimes I try to make too good of a pitch instead of doing what I did to get ahead.""
Rich Harden hopes Yankees batters not in a foul mood
April 18
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The No. 1 thing Rich Harden is hoping to improve upon today is getting opposing hitters to put the ball in play quicker than they have in his first two starts.His last effort, Monday at Cleveland, was better as he threw 102 pitches in six innings. He threw 90 in 31/3 innings in his Rangers debut April 7.Yankee Stadium, though, is a place where pitch counts soar because the home team is better than any club in baseball at fouling pitches away."Watching the way they've played the last few games, the way they grind out at-bats and make pitchers work, it's a tough lineup," Harden said. "I just have to be aggressive. I definitely want to be efficient and attack hitters with some good stuff.""