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Harden Scratched From Tomorrow's Start - Updated

Me_tiny by HigherPie on

Sorry for the short post, but I figured this warranted its own sad little place on AN. Slusser:
I've just arrived in Toronto to a bombshell: Rich Harden has been scratched from his start tomorrow night.

No further info was given, but he was held to 86 pitches his last time out after having thrown 95 the time before that. He was bothered by biceps tendinitis this offseason, but hasn't had any other issues since the end of last season.

Chad Gaudin will start tomorrow night, which means the A's will have to be a [sic] roster move.
We're. All. Gonna. Die.

MINOR UPDATE: Slusser added one strange sentence to her blog post:
He is now expected to start Saturday at Cleveland, according to an e-mail from the team's P.R. department.
I have no idea what's going on here. That sentence makes it seem as though a trade isn't imminent, which has been speculated in the comments. It also doesn't make it sound too bad, if it is an iunjury. Flu? Rest? SARS? I guess we'll know more in the morning.

MORNING UPDATE: One start. Not serious. Yet. Blah blah blah:
The A's have scratched Rich Harden for tonight's game in Toronto with back soreness, specifically in the lat area.

The injury is believed to be minor and it might have been the aftereffects of the long flights to and from Japan last month. Harden is now expected to start at Cleveland on Saturday.
Gaudin will make the start Tuesday. Slusser also writes that a source tells her Greg Smith will be called up to start Wednesday.

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*trying not to panic*

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by gotgreen on Apr 7, 2008 6:53 PM PDT   0 recs

At least he won't be....

I'm not sayin' it.

Missed you in the game threads, hombre.

by paradox on Apr 7, 2008 6:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Been busy quitting my job

So I'll be back soon. :-)

MLBlackout.wordpress.com - Help put an end to MLB.tv blackouts

by HigherPie on Apr 7, 2008 6:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Heh

I know pre-cise-ly what's going on there. We'll both be fine, thank you Jaysus change is here for Spring.

Sort of. We've seen this movie.

by paradox on Apr 7, 2008 6:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

nothing, now

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 7, 2008 7:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess that's the good news

As long as he can't pitch we can keep him on the team forever! Whee!

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 7, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Mascot?

"Hi, I need to... uh... determination..."

by Jennifer on Apr 7, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

if he can dance

perhaps he can replace the new Stomper

(just a lame joke...this is upsetting, though not surprising)

by OaklandSi on Apr 7, 2008 7:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

phooey

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 7, 2008 7:01 PM PDT   0 recs

I take PayPal

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 7, 2008 7:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Noooooooooooooooooooooo

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 7, 2008 7:05 PM PDT   0 recs

Donkey butt.

"Hi, I need to... uh... determination..."

by Jennifer on Apr 7, 2008 7:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Ass ass?

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on Apr 7, 2008 9:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hardin is probably just staying in from the cold

I have a feeling there is nothing wrong with Hardin. They have been talking alot about the real cold weather on this trip and they may just be taking Hardin out of the rotation so that he doesn't hurt himself from playing in the cold.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 7, 2008 7:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Harden is probably not pitching for the same reasons

Misspelled Harden's name twice above... ouch

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 7, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

three times

Don't forget the comment subject line!

by colin on Apr 8, 2008 11:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

probably not

I dont know if anyone has thought "theres probably nothing wrong with Harden" and been correct

by chipper1001 on Apr 7, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point

Isn't Toronto a domed stadium? if so, then that kills my explaination

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Apr 7, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

F%#!

F%#! F%#! F%#!-ity F%#!.

dog damn it. F%#!.

"There is an HR in Hanrahan." ~ mikeA

by Poppy on Apr 7, 2008 7:08 PM PDT   0 recs

Ignore the text I just sent you.

:)

"Hi, I need to... uh... determination..."

by Jennifer on Apr 7, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My source said

Harden's next start was simply pushed back another day.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 7, 2008 7:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Trying to remain calm.

How am I doing?

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 7, 2008 7:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I dont think Rich is going..

on the DL. Just pushed him back a day. And either Duke goes on the DL or DH is gone.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 7:12 PM PDT   0 recs

the A's link lists Harden for Wednesday

however, Slusser's note in the Chron says he's been moved to pitch on Saturday...

by OaklandSi on Apr 7, 2008 7:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Source

see bottom of the page

Plus I had a conversation with Marty Lurie this morning who said the same thing.

Here's hoping.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 7, 2008 7:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Maybe this is a move for

Gaudin to pitch on schedule. (crosses fingers and toes...)

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Apr 7, 2008 7:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

looks like it (also crosses fingers)

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 7, 2008 8:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And toes!

Cross your damn toes, too!

"There is an HR in Hanrahan." ~ mikeA

by Poppy on Apr 7, 2008 8:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bullpen

This is a move to use Gaudin for 80 pitches (4 or 5 innings). The bullpen will be fresh tomorrow. Duke to the DL.

(i hope)

by Colorado Fan on Apr 7, 2008 9:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bullpen

This seems more likely with the bullpen being fresh and will be ready just in case Gaudin bombs in his first time back.

by sf drift king on Apr 7, 2008 11:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Athletics fan and runner was right

Everything does suck.

There is an A in Whimsy.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 7, 2008 7:18 PM PDT   0 recs

I agree

and it's not even the same today anymore. =(

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Apr 8, 2008 5:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe there's a pending trade.

"I'm going to take a camera crew and march into Billy Beane's office and demand to know why instituting his newfangled cost-saving measures means that the run manufacturing plant had to get shut down." FJM

by Elvez on Apr 7, 2008 7:37 PM PDT   0 recs

So who had two

In the starts-before-Harden-hits-the-DL pool?

But seriously. Is anyone surprised by this? I see a lot of freaking out here. I don't understand it. This was inevitable.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Apr 7, 2008 7:38 PM PDT   0 recs

+1

But seriously. Is anyone surprised by this? I see a lot of freaking out here. I don't understand it. This was inevitable.

I don't see how anybody can be surprised by this. Disappointed, sure, but not surprised.

"Rebuilding" is loser mentality.

by UncleLeo on Apr 8, 2008 9:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Another Lost Season?

I sincerely hope this is all precautionary. Can anyone name another pitcher talent-wise similar to Rich who has had his career derailed by injuries? If this is something serious, how will Rich handle this mentally?

It's a good thing we have some pitching depth. Greg Smith is going to have his ticket punched to Oakland sooner rather than later. Gio will be next.

by alpine26 on Apr 7, 2008 7:48 PM PDT   0 recs

Among many others...

Can anyone name another pitcher talent-wise similar to Rich who has had his career derailed by injuries?

Mark Fidrych, Wally Bunker

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on Apr 7, 2008 9:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Herb Score got hit in the head

with a line drive. It wasn't as if he had shoulder problems, back problems, leg problems, arm problems (see Kerry Woods, Hardin, Mike Hampton...et al).

If that ball simply went 18 inches higher, Herb Score would have done much better in his career.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 8, 2008 1:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

thats one

big charlie brown head

by Future Ed on Apr 8, 2008 1:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

D'oh!

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 8, 2008 5:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So Slusser has Harden scheduled for Saturday.

The A's page has him on Wednesday. It looks like Gaudin is coming back a couple days earlier than anticipated (although this decision could also involve non-Harden factors such as a quick rehab or Duke's injury).

Here's what I can come up with:

1) Harden is hurt and, as usual, the A's PR staff is loathe to divulge information. Test results are pending.
2) As mentioned above, the move is designed to keep Gaudin on schedule.
3) The A's are going with the pitch-Harden-once-a-week plan mentioned on the sfgate blog last week. This seems unlikely given it will have already been a week since Rich's last start on Tuesday. Also Harden doesn't like being treated as an injured player, and history suggests the A's are unlikely to treat him as such during his brief bouts of good health.
4) A trade is in the works with a team that wants Harden to be able to pitch some time in the next few days.
5) Eveland (slated to pitch Thursday) stole Harden's passport and wrote his name on it.

I'd take any of the non-injury related options. Any other ideas?

by scromulus on Apr 7, 2008 8:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Eveland stole Rich's Canadian Passport?

I'm not a big wine guy... Where do you grow the BEER?

by str8tarrow on Apr 8, 2008 8:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, I had "zero"...

does that count?

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 7, 2008 9:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's like the phases of the moon

1. We're pushing Harden's next start back a few days.
2. Harden is skipping this start but is expected to take his next turn.
3. His next turn is also being pushed back a few days.
4. We're putting him on the 15-day DL but it's retroactive. He'll only miss two, or at most three, starts.
5. Harden is still experiencing discomfort and is being shut down. Dr. Yocum says there is no structural damage and prescribes rest and rehabilitation.
Etc., etc., etc.

by Soaker on Apr 7, 2008 8:35 PM PDT   0 recs

at this point, Rich might do better seeing Dwight Yoakam

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 7, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was thinking Jack Kevorkian, but Yoakam's good too

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 7, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, we're up to Phase 3

and pushing Phase 4.

by Zonis on Apr 9, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is his last chance...

If he doesnt stay healthy this year dont pick up his 7 mil option or try and trade him.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 8:45 PM PDT   0 recs

Guessing

It's likely a non-baseball related scratch. With Harden there's no way they'd bother even considering to schedule his next start if there was something physically wrong with him. They'd be treating him exactly as they are with Duke. He's probably just got that nasty cold/flu that's going around.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Apr 7, 2008 9:01 PM PDT   0 recs

It is a nasty one

Hit the office like a brick.

But still, Harden not pitching is like sun in the Mojave

by MobiusKlein on Apr 7, 2008 9:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm shocked!!!!

Just shocked!!!

Listen carefully A's fans:

Harden. Is. Made. Of. Glass.

He has been a non-factor on this team for the last 2 years. He simply cannot last more than a start or two. The A's should trade him for anything they can. And I mean anything. Though I don't know why any team would want to deal for him. He will not contribute. Ever.

by ClutchSteinbach on Apr 7, 2008 9:35 PM PDT   0 recs

I am now in your camp about this issue..

I wasnt up until right now.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 9:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

S
H
I
T

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Apr 7, 2008 9:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Atleast...

KRod just gave up the tying and winning run in the 9th vs Cleveland.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 9:45 PM PDT   0 recs

KRod..

also leave the game early. Possible Injury.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 9:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thus endeth the Angels' streak of winning games they lead after 8 innngs?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 7, 2008 9:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep..

they just said something bout that on the game broadcast.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 9:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually, not yet as far as I can see -

You said K-Rod gave up the tying and winning runs, but it looks like you meant tying and go-ahead runs. They're going to let the Angels bat in the bottom of the 9th - for this I blame Bud Selig.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 7, 2008 9:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LoL yeah...

Its in Cleveland so go-ahead... Still could prove to be the winning run if the game ends.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 10:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The game is almost guaranteed to end

(All-Star games notwithstanding.)

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 7, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OMG!!!

Borowski gives up a walk off GrandSlam to Tori Hunter!

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 7, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well he does suck.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 7, 2008 10:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Angels always have luck.

They always seem to make a comeback. Well maybe that isn't luck, it's skill . But it's irritating anyway!

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 8, 2008 12:00 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Street

Why do the Indians continue to throw Joe Borowski out there in the 9th. It might be time get a bidding war going between the Indians & Tigers.

by Colorado Fan on Apr 8, 2008 7:44 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Tigers have nothing to offer ... nothing at all.

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Apr 8, 2008 10:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Porcello?

stat-addled alien overlord

by salb918 on Apr 8, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Tigers have nothing that they'd be willing to offer ... nothing at all ...

"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback

by devo on Apr 8, 2008 12:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or can be offered within the next 3 months.

"Looks like you brought two too many."

by BWH on Apr 8, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good thing I don't believe in jinxes

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 8, 2008 5:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Harden's next bobblehead should be made of glass.

Not surprised but this is getting ridiculous.

by Oaktownflav on Apr 7, 2008 9:45 PM PDT   0 recs