CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Cubs early exit from the post-season
gave their front office time to consider the status of Veteran
pitcher Rich Harden. The team has picked up his 7-million-dollar
option for 2009 a day after finding out the right-hander has no
structural damage in his pitching shoulder. Harden has recently
been bothered by rotator tendinitis and some instability in the
shoulder.
The hard-throwing right-hander went a combined 10-and-2 with a
2.07 ERA in 25 starts for the Athletics and Cubs. He was 5-and-1
with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts with Chicago after being acquired in
July.