The Twins have made contact with free-agent starting pitcher Rich Harden, LaVelle E. Neal of Minneapolis' Star Tribune reported Thursday.
Harden last appeared in the majors in 2011 with Oakland, throwing 82 2/3 innings with a 5.12 ERA and 2.9 K/BB. The 31-year-old has dealt with myriad injury issues throughout his career, limiting him to at most 26 starts since making a career-high 31 as a 22-year-old in 2004. Surgery on a shoulder capsule kept Harden out for the 2012 season, and injuries to his latissimus dorsi, labrum, UCL, and oblique (among others) have landed him on the disabled list in the past.
Neal said Harden would likely sign a minor-league deal with a spring training invitation. Such a deal would give the Twins a low-risk opportunity to revive Harden's former glory -- between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, Harden made 29 starts with a tremendous 2.12 ERA (204 ERA+) while striking out 208 batters in 173 2/3 innings. Even if Harden can only give the Twins 10-15 starts, he could be a big help to one of last season's worst rotations.
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