Minnesota Twins sign pitcher Rich Harden for a Minor League Deal- MLB News
The Minnesota Twins signed injury prone Rich Harden to a Minor League deal with an invitation to the spring training. Rich had missed the entire 2012 season due to a surgery on his shoulder to repair his rotator cuff in lateral part of January.
The right-handed pitcher has so far spent nine seasons in the Majors with three different ball clubs. He has a 59-39 career record with a 3.76 ERA. His undoing so far has, despite his good record, have been his injuries and over the course of nine seasons,
he has only pitched 180 innings or more once in a single season.
He last threw 140 innings or more in a single season back in 2009. Performance wise, 2008 was his best year when he represented the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago White Sox and posted a 10-2 winning record with a low 2.07 ERA in 25 games, all as a starting
pitcher.
His numbers overall are good. Rich is particularly good at striking batters out and has a 9.2 strike out rate per nine innings pitched, the third best since 2003.
Terry Ryan said that Harden joining the Minors was a mutual decision and the club will see how he performs before thinking of moving him to the Majors.
"It was a mutual decision. He's coming in wanting to make our club, and we'll give him every opportunity and see exactly where he fits," Ryan said.
The general manager also said that the Harden, who has mainly been a starting pitcher throughout his career apart from a few games as a reliever, can be used either as a starting pitcher or as a reliever; the club is open to both options.
"It depends on how he responds," Ryan said. "We could go either way with him. He hasn't pitched for a year, so we'll have to evaluate where he's at. But he's got the stuff to start and the stuff to relieve. So we're open to either avenue."
The Twins missed an opportunity to re-sign pitcher Francisco Liriano whom they were interested in this off-season. However, he has now been signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates for a two-year deal. Liriano had a seven year relationship as a player with the Minnesota
ball club.
The Twins also announced the name of another 15 Minor League players that will be taking part in spring training.
Rich Harden is a talented pitcher and he has proven that over nine seasons in the Major League. His only concern though is the injuries that have hampered his career progress and have stopped him from realising his full potential. One hopes that he can remain
fit in future and be able to perform to the best of his abilities.
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