Rich Harden News: Pro Sports Daily

Cubs' Harden, Johnson file for free agency

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November 7

Chicago Tribune

"118 players have filed for free agency, including Cubs starting pitcher Rich Harden and outfielder Reed Johnson. Harden, 27, was 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 starts. Although he's had past arm problems, he recorded his second 25-start season. Johnson, 32, made $3 million last season, yet was limited to a career-low 65 games and 165 at-bats because of a fractured foot suffered July 29."

Pitcher Rich Harden would like to be back, but feeling isn't mutual

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September 28

Chicago Tribune

"When he shut himself down for the rest of the season, Rich Harden said he hoped to re-sign with the Cubs. "We'll see what happens," he said. "Hopefully we'll sit down with Jim (Hendry) and talk about that. It's a good city, good fans, good team ... I feel like what we did this year obviously was a little disappointing. It would be good to come back next year and make a run for it." But the Cubs have no plans of bringing Harden back, as manager Lou Piniella hinted Sunday before a 5-1 loss to San Francisco in the final road game of the season. "You look at our starting pitching here for next year," Piniella said. "You've got (Carlos) Zambrano, you've got (Ryan) Dempster, you've got (Randy) ..."

Harden says season over

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September 25

Chicago Sun-Times

"Rich Harden might have pitched his final game for the Cubs after deciding Thursday that he won't make a final start this season. Harden, a free agent-to-be, was skipped in his last turn through the rotation because of fatigue after some heavy pitch counts in short starts this month. But he said his right shoulder, which he has had trouble with in the past, feels ''the best it has felt in a long time.'' ''I've gone through the season with no problem with that,'' Harden said. ''It'd be a lot different if we were in [contention] and needed me to pitch; I'd be out there in a second. I'm still healthy and feeling good.'' Whether Harden returns next season after going 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 ..."

Harden shut down for season

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September 25

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs were down to their final strike Thursday night when Jeff Baker's two-out, two-run home run off Brian Wilson launched them to a 3-2 victory over the Giants. Baker's heroics prevented the Giants from gaining a game on the Rockies in the wild card race. Wilson replaced Brad Penny in the ninth and walked Derrek Lee leading off. Lee stole second with two outs before Baker sent a 2-2 pitch into the left-field bleachers. Carlos Marmol survived a shaky ninth to earn his 15th save, stranding two baserunners by striking out Aaron Rowand and Fred Lewis. Aaron Heilman got the win in relief of Ryan Dempster, who threw seven strong innings before leaving with a 2-1 deficit. Before the game, the ..."

Harden may have made last start of '09

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September 24

MLB.com

"Rich Harden, limited to throwing off flat ground and not off the mound since his last start, may be shut down for the remainder of the season, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday. Harden (9-9, 4.09 ERA) has not started since Sept. 16, when he went three innings in a loss to Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have 11 games remaining. "I'm not sure about Harden, I'm really not," Piniella said. "I'm not certain on whether Rich is going to get another start or not. It won't be this weekend in San Francisco.""

Cubs' Harden to miss next turn in rotation

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September 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Cubs' starting rotation over the final two weeks will take on a different look as the Cubs sit the fatigued Rich Harden and also try to get a look at a prospect or two. Harden, who has made 26 starts, hasn't pitched more than five innings in his last four starts while laboring an average of 22 pitches an inning. Manager Lou Piniella said he will skip Harden's next start Monday in Milwaukee, and possibly one more turn after that, with Tom Gorzelanny taking his place. For Harden (9-9, 4.28 ERA), two skipped starts would leave him with only one more, but Piniella and general manager Jim Hendry denied reports Thursday that they plan to shut him down. Piniella and other team officials said ..."

Rich Harden rocked as Chicago Cubs fall 9-5

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September 17

Chicago Tribune

"Some Cubs fans were startled to see Ryan Dempster walking down Addison Street in warm-up gear about 1 1/2 hours before Wednesday night's game against the Brewers. Batting practice had ended, so Dempster went on a Starbucks run and was seen carrying a large coffee back to the clubhouse for Jake Fox. Whether the Cubs are still on the outskirts of a pennant race, as Lou Piniella insisted before the 9-5 loss to Milwaukee, or just playing out the string, as most observers believe, every day at Wrigley Field is a blessing for those who work there. The game goes on and the ballpark still is packed, so the players might as well enjoy themselves as the season dwindles down to a precious few games. ..."

Chicago Cubs win 4th straight, 6-4 over Cincinnati Reds

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September 12

Chicago Tribune

"Is Rich Harden "walking" his way out of Wrigley Field and into free agency? As daily evaluations -- mostly with the pitching staff -- help constitute the makeup of next year's team, Harden is making it hard to justify keeping him, especially if he could win $10 million in arbitration. So while the Cubs won their fourth straight game Friday -- at least proving they are still better than the Pirates and Reds, against whom they have won 18 of 24 games -- Harden couldn't pitch long enough to get the eventual 6-4 victory. Friday's winner over the Reds was Jeff Stevens, who didn't help his quest for a bullpen spot next summer by allowing three runs on three hits in his one inning of work. But ..."

What could've been

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September 6

Chicago Sun-Times

"Consider them just two more causes for vertigo in this upside-down Cubs season. Knowing before the season that Rich Harden's shoulder would hold up for nearly 30 starts without a pang and that Derrek Lee's power would return in a big way, how many playoff games would the Cubs have been assured of hosting this fall? At least a few more than none. Yet, here we are nearly a week into September, and Harden's biggest concern is whether he is striking out too many batters to pitch deep into games while Lee is starting to hit upper-deck homers in pairs. Even on an afternoon when the two converged for a 5-3 victory against the New York Mets, most of the conversation around this team continues to ..."

Source: Harden, Heilman staying put

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August 31

ESPN.com

"The waiver period for trades before the Sept. 1 roster deadline will come and go without the Chicago Cubs having made a deal, according to Major League Baseball sources. Rich Harden, claimed by the Minnesota Twins, and Aaron Heilman, claimed by the San Francisco Giants, will continue to pitch for the Cubs."

Surging Cubs might not be ready to dump Harden

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August 31

Foxsports.com

"Maybe, if you are Twins general manager Bill Smith, you're calling the Cubs this morning, saying, "I've got to have Rich Harden." But maybe, if you are Cubs GM Jim Hendry, you're responding, "Not so fast." The arithmetic of a pennant race changes daily. As the deadline to complete a Harden deal looms early Monday afternoon, the Cubs are less motivated to act than they were Thursday when the Twins were awarded the claim on the right-hander, major-league sources say. The Cubs began Friday 7 1/2 games back in the National League wild-card race. After winning two of three from the Mets, they are 5 1/2 back, albeit in fifth place. The Rockies and Giants are tied for the wild-card lead. The ..."

Twins haven't asked for Harden's medical records; trade unlikely

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August 31

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"As of late Sunday night, the Twins had yet to request Cubs pitcher Rich Harden's medical records, a person close to Harden told the Star Tribune, adding that a deal by today's noon deadline appeared unlikely. Harden, 27, has been on the disabled list seven times since 2005, so it would be uncharacteristic for the Twins to trade for him without first examining those medical records. Then again, in eight starts since July 16, Harden is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA, so it's possible the Twins could roll the dice, giving the Cubs the prospects it would take to land Harden for the season's final five weeks. Harden is a pending Type A free agent, so a team could offer him arbitration after the season and ..."

Cubs right-hander Rich Harden just what Twins need

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August 31

Chicago Tribune

"I'm not sure what the game was called, but back in high school, during a study of global politics, we played a decision-making contest of strategies, with the goal being world domination. I was appointed leader of an imaginary country named Nordo and pretty much made every poor choice possible on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, in a desperate situation, I opted for nuclear warfare. The world was destroyed, and there was no winner. Everyone tied for last. Somehow that comes to mind as I consider the possibility of the Cubs trading Rich Harden to the Minnesota Twins. It's not that Harden is nuclear. It's just that he has been the Cubs' best starting pitcher the last two ..."

Twins serious about trading for Harden

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August 30

MLB.com

"The Cubs are open to trading right-hander Rich Harden and the Twins are serious about acquiring the starter, FoxSports.com reported. The Cubs put Harden on waivers earlier this week and the Twins were awarded the claim, meaning both teams have until Monday to work out a deal. The 27-year-old has been pitching well of late, as he has a 1.80 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 50 innings over his past eight starts. On the season, Harden is 8-7 with a 3.99 ERA with 143 strikeouts in 124 innings. Harden would bolster the Twins' rotation and would be received well in the clubhouse, according to the report."

Doubts regarding Harden emerge

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August 30

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins officials Saturday would not confirm or deny that they are the team that placed a claim on Cubs pitcher Rich Harden, as ESPN Chicago has reported. But two people close to Harden said they doubted Harden is heading to the Twins. To their knowledge, the Cubs had yet to open a window for the Twins to negotiate a long-term deal with Harden, who is a pending free agent. It's possible the Twins would trade for Harden without a long-term extension. He will be a Type A free agent, which would assure them two compensation picks in the 2010 draft if he signed elsewhere. Though Harden has a history of arm trouble, the Twins believe he would be a good fit. His family actually has roots in ..."

Cubs have until Monday to trade or keep Rich Harden

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August 29

Chicago Tribune

"If Rich Harden makes his scheduled start Monday night against the Astros, he will remain with the Cubs for the rest of the season. The Cubs have until noon Monday to trade Harden and reliever Aaron Heilman, both of whom were claimed off waivers Thursday. According to a report, the Twins were awarded the claim on Harden and the Giants on Heilman. "I was surprised to hear it, but a lot of guys are claimed and nothing happens," Harden said. "I'm happy being here and would like to be able to stay. I love playing here and the fans are good and the team's good. It's not my call." If the claiming team is successful in working out a trade, it would owe Harden only about $1 million before he ..."

Harden, Heilman claimed, but Cubs aren't dealing

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August 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"The reported waiver claims by other clubs on Cubs pitchers Rich Harden and Aaron Heilman aren't necessarily a sign the Cubs have shifted their focus to next year -- unless they result in trades before the waiver period expires Monday. A Cubs source said Thursday that no trades were in the works ahead of the claims and that the club hadn't been contacted by the teams making the claims as of late Thursday. Teams routinely place most or all of their players through waivers after the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Most pull them back if claimed, sometimes working out a trade with the claiming team. In the case of Alex Rios, the Toronto Blue Jays allowed him and his large contract to go to ..."

Cubs' Harden, Heilman claimed

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August 27

Foxsports.com

"If the Cubs want to point toward the future, this is their chance. Right-handed starter Rich Harden and right-handed reliever Aaron Heilman have been claimed on waivers, according to major-league sources. A National League team was awarded the claim on Heilman, one source said. The claiming team on Harden is not known, but presumably he did not get through the NL, either. Players must pass through their own league first before being exposed on waivers to teams in the other league. The Cubs will have until Monday afternoon to work out trades, allow Harden and Heilman to depart on claims or pull them back them from waivers. Of the two pitchers, Harden is far more intriguing. He is 3-1 with a ..."

Rich Harden's contract an off-season challenge for Chicago Cubs

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August 25

Chicago Tribune

"While Carlos Zambrano takes the spotlight Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, the fate of Rich Harden may be of more immediate importance to the Cubs. Harden has been the Cubs' most consistent starter in the second half with a 3-1 record and 1.64 earned-run average, with a 4-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio. But he could become a sought-after free agent after the season, so the Cubs have to make a decision on how much they're willing to offer him. General manager Jim Hendry never considered trading Harden before the July 31 deadline, believing the Cubs would be in contention the rest of the season. Whether they are or not now, eight games behind the Cardinals in the National League East and seven ..."

CUBS IN BRIEF: Harden, Wells rest up for long haul

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August 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"With only two scheduled days off after Monday and 40 games in those remaining 41 days, one of the biggest keys to the Cubs' playoff chances will be how the starting pitching holds up. That figures to be especially true for the injury-prone Rich Harden, who's on pace for his highest total of starts and innings since 2004, and rookie Randy Wells, who probably is three starts from exceeding his career high in innings at any level. That's a big reason manager Lou Piniella used the rainout Sunday to tweak his rotation to give both right-handers extra rest before their next starts. Harden, who was scheduled to pitch Sunday and completed his pregame warmup routine, was pushed back to Wednesday in ..."

Cubs will try to slot Rich Harden to pitch night games

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July 21

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs will try to accommodate Rich Harden's statistical idiosyncrasy. Harden is 5-1 with a 2.41 earned-run average at night and 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA on the road. Logically, that would make him a bad candidate for Wrigley Field day games. So ... Harden will start Tuesday night in Philadelphia, then not pitch again until Monday against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field, although that, at least, is a night game. That would put him on pace to pitch again the following Saturday night in Miami. "We're going to try to accommodate that [quirk] as much as we can," manager Lou Piniella said. "If we have an injury or something, we can't do anything about it." Good news: Ryan Dempster (broken ..."

Harden, Cubs take care of Pirates

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June 30

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Pirates did not have too much trouble last night putting pressure on Chicago Cubs right-hander Rich Harden. Scoring runs, however, was a different story. The Pirates knocked out eight hits - seven of them singles - over Harden's final three innings, but all it added up to was a 3-1 loss against the Cubs. Harden (5-4) won for the first time since May 12, snapping a career-worst three-game losing streak. He worked seven innings and allowed a run on nine hits and a walk and struck out nine. The Cubs came into the game having lost six of their previous eight games. Their 35-37 record marked the first time they had been two games under .500 since the fourth game of the 2008 season. Once ..."

Harden throws 70 pitches in rehab start

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June 9

MLB.com

"Cubs right-hander Rich Harden, who has been on the disabled list since May 18 with a mid-back strain, tossed 4 1/3 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Monday. Harden allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits against the Round Rock Express while striking out six and walking two. He was removed in the fifth inning after throwing 70 pitches, 44 for strikes. Harden suffered from flu-like symptoms over the weekend but felt better on Monday and made his first rehab start for Iowa."

Rich Harden OK in bullpen session

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June 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"Rich Harden cleared an important hurdle Tuesday in his efforts to return to the Cubs' rotation from the disabled list, throwing a 33-pitch bullpen session that encouraged pitching coach Larry Rothschild and the medical staff. ''It went really well,'' said Harden, who added the midback pain is gone. ''I'm good.'' Harden, who last pitched May 17, is to throw a longer pen on Thursday and then either throw a simulated game or a make a minor-league rehab start a few days after that. Barring a setback, that could put him on pace for a return to the rotation when the team returns home for a three-game series June 12-14 against Minnesota. Road less taken Piniella met with Carlos Zambrano in his ..."

Rich Harden's tosses pass first test

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May 29

Chicago Sun-Times

"Rich Harden played catch Thursday afternoon, finally starting the process of getting the ailing right-hander on a path toward returning to the Cubs' rotation in the next 10 days to two weeks. Manager Lou Piniella is eager to get Harden back in his rotation so he can return left-hander Sean Marshall to the bullpen. ''We're encouraged,'' Piniella said. ''He didn't feel it, didn't feel a thing. So now we'll get him on a program to get him back on the mound. This was the first test and he passed it with flying colors, which is the best possible news for us. ''It was catch. But now we can start accelerating the process.'' Harden, whose stint on the disabled list began May 18 because of a ..."

Rich Harden holding up just fine

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May 8

Chicago Tribune

"For the last six seasons, Rich Harden has been baseball's china doll. He is on his way toward changing that perception, making it through his first six starts this season without needing extra rest or kid-glove handling. Manager Lou Piniella often has talked about the need for a sixth starter to step in when Harden's arm needs a break. But the 27-year-old has held his own thus far, going 3-1 with a 4.83 ERA while working 31 2/3 innings and being injury free. Harden worked into the eighth inning Wednesday night against the Houston Astros. "I felt like I could have finished the game," Harden said. He said his arm felt as good as it has all season, even though he struck out only four in the ..."

14-pitch at-bat flustered Chicago Cubs' Rich Harden

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April 16

Chicago Tribune

"Rich Harden started out like he was going to match Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game in 1998, fanning the first four Colorado batters. But Harden struggled with his control in the second inning Wednesday, falling behind hitters and running up his pitch count. Manager Lou Piniella didn't seem to blame Harden for the outing, which was his first loss in Wrigley Field. "It was a cold, blustery day," Piniella said. "His stuff was good. The results weren't." Harden had eight strikeouts in only three innings but wasn't sharp otherwise. A 14-pitch at-bat by Garrett Atkins in the second, when Atkins fouled off eight straight before striking out, was the start of the downfall. "After that point, I ..."

Rich Harden shows skeptics with sharp outing

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April 11

Chicago Tribune

"Perhaps Rich Harden was just playing possum in spring training. The Cubs right-hander found his fastball at the right time Friday, throwing in the mid-90s and striking out 10 in a sterling six-inning, 96-pitch performance. It was his eighth double-digit strikeout game, and his sixth in a Cubs uniform. "I was never really too concerned about velocity in spring training," he said. "It's a lot different once you get out here in a game that means something and there's more intensity. It's easier to do. Overall I was happy with the way I felt and still felt like I could have thrown some more pitches." Soto watch: Catcher Geovany Soto is unlikely to play in the series because of tendinitis in ..."

Harden ready to let actions tell his story

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April 10

Chicago Sun-Times

"The realization started to sink in near the end of last season, after 2½ months in Chicago. And by the time he slowly, surely navigated a nearly incident-free spring training, his strongest in years, Cubs pitcher Rich Harden knew for sure. ''Even if I get through the season, it's not going to shut anybody up,'' he said. Even if he gets through his first 30-start season in five years? ''No.'' No matter how strong and how successful this season eventually looks? ''No.'' Because the questions about his shoulder keep coming, the theme always the same, the when-not-if doubt always in the tone. So at 27, as he prepares today in Milwaukee to open a 2009 season with the anticipation of personal ..."

Starting to look healthy

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March 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"Cubs right-hander Rich Harden proved Wednesday that he's strong enough, sharp enough and healthy enough to dominate the Pacific Coast League. Now if he can just get back a few of those pounds he lost as a result of food poisoning last week and get through two more big-league exhibition games the way he did Wednesday's four-inning cruise through Oakland's Class AAA team, he expects to be ready for prime time again -- just in time for an April 10 season debut against Milwaukee. And just in time to give the Cubs their Rotation for the Ages -- or at least the first one of those since 2004 -- intact and in good health for the start of the season. No? You thought the Cubs' dream rotation ..."

Cubs' Rich Harden feels strong after short outing

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March 16

Chicago Tribune

"For a pitcher who had just allowed three runs and ended his day by walking two consecutive batters, Rich Harden was amazingly upbeat. With Harden, of course, health comes before results in the spring. "I was happy with the way I felt," he said after giving up three runs in 22/3 innings Sunday in the Cubs' 10-7 victory over the Diamondbacks. Harden's second outing of the spring started with two perfect innings before a leadoff homer and three walks in the third.Despite the way it looked, Harden said he did not tire in the third as he approached his 50-pitch limit. "I mechanically started doing some bad things and started losing command a little bit, but it wasn't because I was tired," he ..."

Healthy Harden has strong debut

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March 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"Just about the time you started to realize this spring training has been conspicuously void of Cubbie occurrences, Rich Harden took the mound for the first time, only to have his fourth pitch lined back toward his head. A quick glove turned it into an out, and Harden went on to post an efficient two shutout innings Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners and fend off the Cubbie occurrences for another day. ''I've been doing some PFPs,'' he said of pitcher's fielding practice. ''I've got to give credit to the coaches for that one.'' The rest belonged to Harden, who allowed two hits (one questionable on what appeared to be a routine hopper near second base) and struck out one. ''It's nice to ..."

Rich Harden sharp in first spring appearance for Chicago Cubs

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March 11

Chicago Tribune

"The ghosts of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood still hover at Cubs camp, casting their weary shadows over right-hander Rich Harden. After making his Cactus League debut Tuesday with two scoreless innings against Seattle, Harden went through the same grilling about his arm strength that Prior and Wood heard year after year following spring outings. It may be unfair to compare Harden with the oft-injured pitching duo, but Harden has come to accept that his health will always be scrutinized in Chicago. "I totally understand that," he said. "I've had some injuries in my past, and that's just the way it is. Even if I'm healthy four years in a row, people are still going to think about that, so I just ..."

Harden ready to go

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March 10

Chicago Sun-Times

"Hey, Rich, what's with the shoulder? Where's the tear? How's the strength? How many starts can you make this year? When do you pitch next? Do you need a cortisone shot? Extra rest? How do you feel? How do you feel? How do you feel? For Cubs pitcher Rich Harden, it's like an echo that won't go away, ringing in his ears the last few seasons, the constant irritant lingering from the injuries that limited him to an average of 11 starts from 2005 to '07. That might make him the one guy in a contract year whom you can believe when he says it's not about the money. ''With the work I've put in here and how I'm feeling,'' Harden said, ''I want to know the work has paid off and put in a whole ..."

So far, so good for Chicago Cubs' Rich Harden

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March 7

Chicago Tribune

"Rich Harden pitched in what manager Lou Piniella refers to as an "assimilated game" Friday and is to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday in Peoria, Ariz. Harden threw 43 pitches in two innings to minor leaguers before Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers. "Each time out he has made strides, and there really have been no setbacks, knock on wood," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "He's progressing really well." The Cubs plan to give Harden six starts this spring and will give him extra rest between starts during the season to try to keep him healthy for October. So why not pencil him into the fifth starter's slot and make it easier to skip him when necessary? "We'll see," Rothschild said. ..."

Harden might pitch next week

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March 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"The much-anticipated spring debut of Cubs starter Rich Harden might come within a week. Harden, who's on a slow-and-cautious maintenance program for his troublesome right shoulder, got through a second session of throwing to hitters in batting practice Tuesday and is scheduled for a simulated game Friday, manager Lou Piniella said. ''And then he'll be pitching the early part of next week,'' Piniella said. ''With that schedule, assuming he stays on the schedule healthwise -- and there's no reason to assume he won't -- he'll get six starts the rest of the spring. And that's about perfect for him.'' Barring a setback, Harden would make his first regular-season start in the Cubs' fourth game, ..."

Finally healthy Harden wants at least 30 starts

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February 15

Chicago Sun-Times

"Rich Harden was the only pitcher who didn't throw from a mound the first day of Cubs camp Saturday, but he played catch and is expected to throw from a mound today. Harden, the dominant-when-healthy starter who has been on a rigorous workout and therapy regimen since last season to treat a tear in his shoulder, is on a different program than the other pitchers this spring because of his health issues. But neither Harden nor the club are concerned about his ability to be ready for the start of the season. ''This is the strongest my shoulder's felt,'' Harden said Saturday. ''I'm excited for the start of the season. I'll be ready.'' Despite the team's oft-stated hope that Harden is able to ..."

Chicago Cubs to limit Rich Harden in spring training

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February 14

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs aren't worried that Rich Harden won't be ready to start the season, though they plan to limit the right-hander's workload during spring training because of recurring shoulder problems. "We will not overtax him early here," general manager Jim Hendry said Friday as pitchers and catchers were checking in for spring training. "He feels really good, and if anything, we're going to have to be cautious with him that he doesn't feel too good and want to go too fast, too hard." Harden chose to rehab his shoulder in Mesa after the 2008 season instead of having surgery that would have forced him to miss all of 2009. The Cubs picked up his $7 million option, and he's eligible for free ..."

Cubs pitcher Rich Harden opts not to pitch in World Baseball Classic

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January 21

Chicago Tribune

"It comes as no huge surprise that Cubs pitcher Rich Harden has eliminated himself from Canada's roster for the World Baseball Classic, which runs concurrent with spring training. Harden, who might not be ready to start for the Cubs during early March because of his on-and-off right shoulder, is quoted in Canadian newspapers as saying he is bowing out. "I missed the last [2006] WBC because I was coming off surgery, and that just killed me to be in the stands watching," he was quoted as saying. "And this time it will be just as difficult to watch because I want to play and represent Canada. "If I was 100 percent and it was a different year and different scenario, I would have jumped at the ..."

Was it a false arm alarm?

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January 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"So what's the deal with Rich Harden and his iffy shoulder anyway? The Cubs have committed $7million worth of faith in the health of the right-hander's pitching shoulder. And Harden says a rigorous offseason program has the arm feeling as strong as it ever has. But more than three months after the Cubs said Harden had only ''subtle instability'' in the shoulder and picked up his 2009 contract option, pitching coach Larry Rothschild unwittingly raised concerns Saturday over his fitness. ''His arm action's good; he's throwing free and easy,'' Rothschild told a roomful of fans during the Cubs Convention, the day after watching Harden throw for the first time since October. But then he added: ..."

Cubs pick up fragile Harden's $7M option for 2009

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October 9

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Cubs have made their first personnel decision for next season, choosing to balance Rich Harden's immense pitching ability against his high-maintenance shoulder and exercising his $7 million contract option for 2009 on Wednesday. A detailed MRI arthrogram this week on Harden's shoulder revealed no damage severe enough to require surgery -- good news in that he has no serious injuries, but news that also means manager Lou Piniella and his staff are right back where they were this summer, managing built-in instability in the rotation. The bottom line on the decision was basic, general manager Jim Hendry said. ''He has really world-class stuff,'' Hendry said. ''It's a situation where you ..."

Cubs' pick up $7 million option on Rich Harden

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October 9

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs made their first off-season move Wednesday, exercising the $7 million option for oft-injured right-hander Rich Harden. "Rich Hardens are hard to find," general manager Jim Hendry said. "If you told me today we were going to get 24 or 25 good starts out of Rich next year and we were going to have to push him back or miss a start or two here or there, I'd do that in a heartbeat." An MRI-arthrogram on Harden's right shoulder revealed no tears of the labrum or of the rotator cuff, Hendry said after team orthopedic surgeon Stephen Gryzlo and shoulder specialists examined Harden at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Hendry acknowledged Harden has "a long history" of shoulder problems ..."

No surgery for Harden; Cubs pick up option for 2009

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October 8

Chicago Sun-Times

"Rich Harden will not need surgery on his right shoulder, and the Cubs exercised the $7 million club option on the right-hander for 2009. Harden went 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA for Oakland and the Cubs this season. But a significant decline in his velocity late in the season suggested his shoulder was ailing. Exams today indicated he will not need surgery and that he has regular wear and tear. "He had some rotator tendinitis in the past and some subtle instability. I spoke to Rich today and he seems excited about [an offseason strengthening program] and is very happy he won't have to undergo a procedure.""

Harden to visit shoulder specialist

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October 8

Chicago Tribune

"Rich Harden will see a shoulder specialist before the Cubs have to make a decision Wednesday on his $7 million option. General manager Jim Hendry said Harden would be examined Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday. He received a cortisone shot in his right shoulder in early September and his velocity dropped after a 109-pitch outing Aug. 24 against Washington. Harden still was throwing in the 95-96 m.p.h. range in the seventh inning of that game when he struck out the side to finish with 11 strikeouts. One advance scout told Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper that he believed Harden had elbow or shoulder problems: "I've had him consistently down at least 5 miles per hour from what he used to ..."

Harden took shot for shoulder pain

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October 3

Chicago Sun-Times

"If Rich Harden pitches well in Game 3 on Saturday, one reason might be the cortisone shot he got in his right shoulder a month ago. Multiple team sources confirmed Thursday that Harden received an anti-inflammatory shot for the discomfort that sidelined him for 12 days between his Aug. 29 and Sept. 11 starts. It's not rare for pitchers to get anti-inflammatory injections, and insiders suggest it can be considered maintenance as much as injury relief for a pitcher with a history of problems but no structural damage. Harden's cortisone shot first was reported in Buster Olney's blog on ESPN.com. Harden, who has spent time on the disabled list in four consecutive seasons -- including early ..."

Harden strong if not sharp

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September 19

Chicago Sun-Times

"As big as the win itself was for the Cubs, the strength of their starting pitcher Thursday might have been bigger for their October plans. In his second start since missing almost two weeks after experiencing shoulder ''discomfort,'' Rich Harden had his velocity touching the upper 90s again and had strikeout stuff. But he also struggled with his command at times, and partly because of a misplayed grounder in the first, he needed 115 pitches to get through five innings, tying his season-high pitch count. Manager Lou Piniella liked enough of what he saw to be encouraged that Harden will be sharper when he makes his next start Tuesday in New York. And even more important, Harden said that ..."

Harden's health gets big test today

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September 18

Chicago Sun-Times

"The last big piece of the Cubs' playoff puzzle could snap into place this afternoon if right-hander Rich Harden fares well enough against the Milwaukee Brewers to ease any lingering doubts about his shoulder. Harden made a successful return to the mound last week in St. Louis after the Cubs had him skip nearly two turns in the rotation as a precaution against shoulder ''discomfort,'' and he's still not sure why people have made such a big deal out of it. The big deal, of course, has to do with the big first impression Harden made -- his 97 mph, 10-strikeout stuff upon his arrival from Oakland in July. He pitched six solid innings last week but didn't have the same velocity he showed in his ..."

Harden not quite what he was

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September 12

Chicago Tribune

columnist Phil Rogers

"When the Cubs were discussing a trade for Rich Harden, first internally and then with the Oakland Athletics, Jim Hendry leaned heavily on the counsel of his top scout, Gary Hughes. Hughes, according to Hendry's estimate, scouted Harden in person five or six times and caught some other games on television. He was as impressed as you can be, given this was a pitcher who hadn't been healthy enough to start more than 19 games since 2004. "He kept calling in," Hendry said about Hughes. "He said, 'You never know if it will last forever, but it's world-class stuff.' " Hughes, it seems, might have been right on both accounts. Harden was effective, if not dominant, over six innings against St. ..."

Discomforting list now includes Harden

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September 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"After three days of dancing around the questions and being sternly non-specific, Cubs manager Lou Piniella finally said Wednesday that starter Rich Harden has ''discomfort'' in his pitching arm, which is why the Cubs chose now to skip him a full turn in the rotation. Harden confirmed Piniella's description but insisted the discomfort in his right shoulder is ''nothing serious'' and that -- contrary to what Piniella said -- he could have taken his turn if the team wanted. Regardless of the severity of Harden's condition or the contradictions built up the last few days, the timing of the media circus building over the pitching staff couldn't be worse for the Cubs, coming on the heels of ..."

Harden pushed back in rotation, says he's not hurt

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September 3

Chicago Tribune

"What was supposed to be the Cubs' new-look "rested" rotation is in shambles now after Carlos Zambrano's apparent arm pain during Tuesday night's 9-7, 11-inning loss to Houston. Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Zambrano were supposed to pitch the weekend series in Cincinnati, with Ryan Dempster starting the first game in St. Louis next Tuesday. But it appears Sean Marshall will take Zambrano's place, like he did in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia. As of now, Rich Harden will start after Dempster, although it is not clear whether it will be one or two days later and, despite Harden's insistence the day before that he was not injured again, the subject was up for debate Tuesday. "I feel good," said ..."