Harden scheduled for rehab start on Thursday

MLB.com reports A's SP Rich Harden (shoulder) had a positive report for skipper Bob Geren Monday after getting in a workout. It was his first extensive session since throwing a 50-pitch simulated game Saturday in Seattle. Harden said his workout Monday consisted of some long toss at "180, 200 feet" and 25 pitches in the bullpen. "All fastballs, just to get a feel for that," Harden explained. "Everything (I do) comes off that pitch, so if that's there ..."

Harden has successful simulated game

Athletics SP Rich Harden threw well in a 50-pitch simulated game Saturday. He had good velocity, according to manager Bob Geren. Should Harden feel no soreness or discomfort Sunday, he will likely make the first of two rehab starts Thursday. "He did throw the ball well. The velocity was there," Geren said. "It was a very positive day all the way around." The 26-year-old Harden was limited to seven games for Oakland last season because of shoulder injuries. "Everything is written in pencil," Geren said of Harden's plan.

Harden will throw a simulated game Saturday

Oakland SP Rich Harden threw off the mound Wednesday for the first time since going on the disabled list April 3 with a strained throwing shoulder. He is slated to pitch in a simulated game Saturday in Seattle as his next step.

Harden throws off mound

Harden throws long toss, no mound work

A's SP Rich Harden threw long toss for the second time in three days Saturday but has yet to do any work off a mound. He remains on the 15-day DL with a strained right shoulder.

Rich Harden made 25 throws from roughly 80 feet on Thursday. It was his first such activity since he went on the DL due to a strained back muscle behind his right shoulder, the Oakland Tribune reports.We don't have an exact timetable for Harden's return, but there are typically quite a few steps in between playing catch and starting in a major league game. The A's aren't going to rush the oft-injured Harden back.

A's SP Rich Harden, on the DL with a strained right shoulder, threw for the first time Thursday -- making 25 tosses from 80 feet -- and could go back-to-back days if he feels OK on Friday.

Rich Harden hasn't begun throwing, but he believes he will do so soon, according to the SF Chronicle. The team is giving him an extra few days to make sure there is no lingering soreness in his ailing right shoulder.Oakland's ace pitcher continues to progress very slowly.

Report: Harden could return by month's end

Rich Harden is headed to the 15-day disabled list, this according to Inside Bay Area. Harden is nursing a strained back muscle that is slow to improve.Joey Devine will be called up from Triple-A Sacramento to take Harden's spot on the roster. This is Harden's sixth stint on the DL since the start of the 2005 season.

A's place Harden on DL due to strain

Harden unlikely to pitch Saturday

Rich Harden was scratched for his Tuesday start but he is expected to return to the mound on Saturday against Cleveland, according to the Miami Herald. His actual ailment was never revealed, but it is believed to be back soreness caused from the team's long flight to Japan.This is good news, as there was initial fear that Harden may have been making a trip to the DL.

Harden scratched with back soreness

Harden scratched, slated to pitch Saturday

Harden scratched from Tuesday start

Harden goes five scoreless versus Red Sox