Rich Harden has looked terrible this Spring. Not only has he been ineffective, but also his velocity has been down and his stuff has looked weak. In his last Spring start, he got smacked around by the Yankees in new Yankee Stadium.
And when a dude has a tear in his shoulder, the ineffectiveness would make anyone nervous. But Harden says he’s ok.
”Hey, I’m not happy about it,” said Harden, who will make his regular-season debut Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. ”Fortunately, it’s still spring training, and I’m just ready to get going with the season. Yeah, not the last start I wanted to have.
”I’m feeling good. I’m missing pitches and probably didn’t throw the best pitches at the best times. … I still feel strong.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Well, good, I suppose. But if “being healthy” is all Harden will be able to accomplish this year – and a “just healthy” Harden pitches like this guy – then the Cubs might be better off if he opted for surgery. Because the way he’s throwing the ball, he isn’t doing the Cubs any favors.
And it’s a shame, because when he’s been healthy the last few years, Rich Harden has probably been the best pitcher in all of baseball.