Rich Harden Doesn't Feel 'Exactly Right'

Well that didn't take long did it? After making his return to the starting rotation on Saturday afternoon, and being outclassed by the blog heeding Felix Hernandez, Rich Harden told his manager that he didn't feel very good after his start.

He threw 66 pitches in his 2.2 innings of work, his expected amount of work, but as he was taken out of the game by Bob Geren he told his manager he didn't feel "exactly right."

"There is concern any time somebody is questionable for their next start,'' Geren acknowledged. "When Rich was leaving, I said, 'How'd it go?' And he said it didn't feel that great. Nothing major.

"I thought he threw the ball well, 96 mph. At one point, his velocity was down a little bit but I don't know if that was mechanics or not. ... Rich hasn't thrown that many innings.''

Geren's right in saying that there was nothing really evident in the way Harden pitched that would lead anyone to believe there was a problem, and it could be that he just needs to get his arm strength back. There was a bit of a drop in his velocity at the end of his start, but that could just be the lack of innings he's thrown.

Still, based on his history and the fact Harden didn't talk about how he felt or what he told Geren after the game does make one wonder. Hopefully the added days off of the All-Star break will help Harden get back to feeling good again, but I wouldn't be very optimistic about his health if I were the Athletics.

Previously at The FanHouse:
Rich Harden to Start Today
Felix Hernandez Listens to Bloggers