| Rich Harden will attempt to revive his career in Minnesota. (Getty Images) |
The Twins have signed chronically injured right-hander Rich Harden to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training, the team announced on Friday.
The 31-year-old Harden didn't pitch at all last season as he recovered from January shoulder surgery. In 2011, he put up a 5.12 ERA in 82 2/3 innings for the A's. For his career, Harden has a 3.76 ERA and 949 strikeouts in 928 1/3 innings.
There's never been any doubting Harden's potential or raw stuff, but injuries have devastated what could've been an excellent career at the highest level. In parts of nine major-league seasons, Harden has made 10 trips to the disabled list and lost more than 500 team games to injury. At this point, there would seem to be little hope for a meaningful comeback, but there's no harm in taking a flyer on a pitcher of Harden's gifts.
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