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by **d18Mike** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:43 am

This is great -- it seems the A's are holding him back from pitching against the Monster lineups.

SF CHRONICLE ...

Manager Ken Macha hinted Thursday that, with Monday's off day, high profile rookie Rich Harden, tonight's starter, might get some extra rest next week.

The Canadian's next start was to have been Thursday at Boston if everyone stayed on turn, but if he does get pushed back a day or two, he'd pitch in his homeland for the first time as a major-leaguer.

Harden, 21, has already thrown 133 2/3 innings this season, and last year he finished with 153 (he then threw about 20 innings in instructional league), so the A's don't want to overwork him.

In addition, moving Harden would allow the A's to split up their lefty- lefty-lefty alignment of Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Ted Lilly, and it ensures another showdown between Tim Hudson and Pedro Martinez on Thursday in Boston.

Lilly is also a possibility to be pushed back a bit, if need be. Pitching coach Rick Peterson said the decision will be made after evaluating how everyone comes out of the Boston and Toronto series.

by **pkarr5000** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:54 am

not surprised at all. thanks for the great article :-D

by **d18Mike** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 12:42 pm

Two papers 2 different stories ... this one says that Harden may be skipped entirely next week.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Rich Harden might be skipped in the rotation after Friday's start against Toronto. Oakland manager Ken Macha is concerned about giving his young pitcher some rest to preserve his arm. This would put his next scheduled start, August 21 at Boston in jeopardy.