The A's aren't sure whether Rich Harden (lat) will return as a starter or a reliever once he's ready.

"Whatever is going to be best for the team, best for him," manager Bob Geren said. "We're leaving all options open." Harden will throw another bullpen session Thursday, then comes a simulated game before a two-appearance rehab assignment. With Brandon McCarthy pitching well in his season debut, the A's need more help in the bullpen right now. That's likely where Harden will be when he returns, at least initially.

Rich Harden (lat) had a good bullpen session Tuesday and should be able to face hitters soon.

Harden's recovery has been coming along nicely lately. He should throw a simulated game later this week and seems to be on track for a return later this month. He'll pitch out of the bullpen initially upon his return.

Athletics placed RHP Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list with a lat muscle injury.

Harden threw a bullpen session Tuesday for the first time since February 15 and reported no abnormal pain or discomfort when he reported back to the A's training staff Wednesday. He may be ready to contribute in long relief by the end of April.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) threw a regular bullpen session Tuesday.

It was his first time throwing from a mound since February 15. Harden has obviously been ruled out for the start of the season and there's no current timetable for him to begin pitching in games. We're not counting on it, but he'll likely pitch out of the bullpen once he's ready to pitch at the major league level again.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) thinks he's close to being able to throw off the front of the mound.

Well, it's progress. Harden has had a couple setbacks with his lat muscle injury and certainly will not be ready for Opening Day. A timetable for when he could return has not been set, and given his past injury issues, there's a good chance he wouldn't have returned on the expected date, anyway. He'll be used as a reliever when ready.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) will resume throwing long toss Sunday.

He's been pushed back a few times, as Harden was originally supposed to start throwing again last weekend and then it was delayed until Wednesday. He's not expected to be ready for the start of the season and when he does return, it's expected to be as a reliever.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) plans to resume his spring trowing program on Wednesday.

Harden was originally scheduled to resume throwing off a mound this past weekend, but the A's training staff scratched him because they were worried about the right-hander hitting another setback. Even if everything goes smoothly on Wednesday, he is highly doubtful to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Rich Harden had another setback Monday with his sore lat muscle and has been shut down indefinitely.

Harden is scheduled to meet with a doctor on Monday afternoon. He was hoping to throw off a mound Tuesday, but the A's have already canceled those plans and can't say for certain when he might be ready to play catch again. It's highly unlikely that Harden will be ready for the start of the regular season, even as a reliever.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) is expecting to throw off a mound Tuesday.

He had originally been hoping to throw Sunday or Monday. Harden has been sidelined for nearly all of camp, and the A's won't have him at the start of the season. A's manager Bob Geren has conceded the obvious that Harden won't be ready to compete for the No. 5 starter job by the end of camp. It's not clear if they still plan on stretching him out or will just prep him for a bullpen role.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) is likely to throw off a mound Sunday or Monday.

Harden has been sidelined for most of camp with stiffness in his lat muscle, but he's beginning to pick up the pace. He has thrown from a distance of 120 feet on back-to-back days this week. It's nice to hear he's making progress, but the A's won't be counting on him for the start of the season.

Rich Harden (lat muscle) is expected to resume his throwing program Thursday.

Harden has been sidelined for nearly the entirety of camp due to stiffness in his lat muscle. He could potentially throw off a mound on Saturday, but it's likely he'll begin the season on the disabled list. There simply isn't enough time for him to catch up with the other pitchers in camp.

Rich Harden (lat stiffness) threw from a distance of 80 feet on Friday morning in A's camp.

Harden had been shut down from throwing for the past couple of weeks. He reported no abnormal pain or discomfort after Friday's session and is expected to throw at a greater distance Saturday. The A's will probably throw him on the disabled list before Opening Day to give his lat muscle extra time to heal.

Athletics manager Bob Geren said Wednesday that Rich Harden (lat stiffness) remains on track to resume throwing Friday or Saturday.

Harden felt lat stiffness upon reporting to camp two weeks ago and has quickly fallen behind the other pitchers in camp. Josh Outman and Brandon McCarthy are now considered the favorites for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

The A's have decided to keep Rich Harden (lat stiffness) shut down for another week.

"We've got lots of time," Harden acknowledged upon hearing the idea of taking another seven days off. The right-hander felt stiffness in the area of his lat muscle while attempting to throw a bullpen session in mid-February. That discomfort has not completely dissipated yet.

Rich Harden (lat stiffness) said Saturday that he hopes he doesn't have to miss another full week.

A's manager Bob Geren said recently that Harden could be cleared to resume throwing by Sunday or Monday, but that evidently might not be the case. Harden did add that it was "the smart thing to do" to hold him out longer as a precaution even though he feels pain-free at the moment. The veteran right-hander has fallen behind in his bid to become the team's No. 5 starter.

Athletics manager Bob Geren said both Rich Harden (lat stiffness) and Michael Wuertz (shoulder) could be cleared to resume throwing by Sunday or Monday.

Harden has made a quicker-than-expected recovery, as he was originally supposed to be shut down for at least another week. Wuertz was shut down earlier this week with a shoulder injury similar to the one he dealt with last season. We'll continue to update the condition of both right-handers.

Rich Harden is no longer feeling pain in his lat muscle and is hoping to resume throwing soon.

"It's coming along,'' Harden said Thursday. "I want to get out there, but it's on the trainers. I'm 100 percent pain-free." The A's wanted to shut him down for two weeks, but it sure sounds like he might get clearance to continue his throwing program this weekend. The 29-year-old is trying to win the final spot in the A's starting rotation.

Athletics manager Bob Geren said Wednesday that Rich Harden (lat stiffness) is improving.

Harden was shut down last week due to lat stiffness and was expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. He's making progress, but there's still no timetable for him to get back on the mound. The 29-year-old right-hander hopes to compete with Josh Outman and Brandon McCarthy for the final spot in the starting rotation.

Rich Harden has been shut down for a few weeks with stiffness in his lat area.

And so it begins. The uber-talented but injury-prone right-hander will compete for a spot in the rotation this spring, but already he's fallen behind. Manager Bob Geren called it a "minor setback" but admitted that it "could definitely affect the fifth starter spot." Ultimately, he's probably better served in making a full-time move to the bullpen, as he'd have a better shot to stay healthy. We'll update his condition when more is known.

Athletics assistant general manager David Forst said Rich Harden will be stretched out to start during spring training, but that he might still pitch in relief.

"I think we're going to let it play out in the spring," said Forst. Harden was signed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract that includes $1.5 million in performance-based incentives. The 29-year-old right-hander has shown interest in going to the bullpen and his velocity might bounce back with a smaller workload. Keep an eye on him.