Is Harden stuck in the pen for the rest of the year?

[clarkw267]

Is this a situation where they are just going to play it safe and pitch him in relief for the rest of the season, or is there a timetable to get him back into the rotation?

I haven't heard much about what they plan to do with him since he's been back , so I was wondering if anyone has an idea?

[ceLpH]

well his outing before last night he had some shoulder tightness after an inning so I'd imagine they'll keep working him back slowly until he feels he can handle going 80+ pitches

the rotation has been solid without him though so theres no real need for him immediately

[cymbaline]

The word is that the A's are trying to build up Wussy's arm strength so he can rejoin the rotation. This assumes, of course, that he doesn't get a papercut and go on the DL for the rest of the season. It is almost inevitable that he will claim he's not 100% and want to shut himself down. But in the off-chance that he actually feels okay, he is expected to go back into the rotation after the all-star break.

[Another Blown Save]

It looks like there is no definite answer to this question.

Some think that he'll make his way into the rotation, some think that he'll make his way into the closer's role, some think that he'll make his way into the DL.

[clarkw267]

I'd say about 99% of people would go with the latter. But it would be nice if he could get in the usual 3 brilliant starts before he goes back to his home on the DL.

[wildbill]

Pretty much everything I've read on news sites like espn, rotoworld, etc says the plan is for him to go back into the rotation after the allstar break. I don't think the closers role is for Harden. Can you really see him pitching 2 or 3 days in a row? Look what it did to Brett Myers who had never been on the DL before in his ML career. Unless it gets serious I think the As will continue to have Harden pitch through any minor soreness that pops up. They've got little to loose at this point because he does them no good on the DL and they can't trade him if he's on the DL not pitching if they're thinking of trading him.

[dundeeslugger]

You would think that he would go another 2 innings or so today if they are truly planning on getting him stretched out. I'm betting that he's on the dl 2 weeks after the all star break. Not a good sign not hearing anything about him after his 2 inning appearance last week.

[Dorny]

Off of KFFL:

"Matt Smith, of Oakland.Athletics.MLB.com, reports after throwing two innings Saturday, June 30, Oakland Athletics SP Rich Harden (shoulder) has no timetable for throwing again but manager Bob Geren is hoping he will return by this weekend."

This weekend? Not really an expert on these things but that seems like a long time between appearances for someone trying to build up strength in his arm.

[Knights]

Does he really still need up to a week off between 2 inning appearances?

If he does, he should be in the minor leagues and not taking up a roster spot on a major league roster.

Ridiculous.

[wildbill]

Off of KFFL:

"Matt Smith, of Oakland.Athletics.MLB.com, reports after throwing two innings Saturday, June 30, Oakland Athletics SP Rich Harden (shoulder) has no timetable for throwing again but manager Bob Geren is hoping he will return by this weekend."

This weekend? Not really an expert on these things but that seems like a long time between appearances for someone trying to build up strength in his arm.

Well if they are treating this as wanting to get him into the starting rotation you would think that they're be more then a day or 2 between appearances when he throws multiple innings. He did throw 47 pitches in those 2 innings (lots of foul balls), which is pretty close to half a start in terms of pitch count. If he pitches thursday or friday I would think that'd be about right. Any longer it may indicate a problem. Or the As must just be extra cautious. Of course they need a game where it would make sense for him to come in and throw 2 or 3 innings and not every game shapes up that way. Definitly worth monitoring, but there doesn't seem to be enough info to raise the white flag just yet, but keep it handy.