Chicago Cubs send SP Rich Harden to DL

May 22, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Tim Heaney
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

Paul Sullivan, of The Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago Cubs placed starting pitcher Rich Harden (back) on the 15-day disabled list Friday, May 22, with a back strain.

The Cubs didn't bring a new player up, instead simply activating starter Carlos Zambrano (hamstring). Randy Wells will presumably stay in the rotation after taking Harden's rotation spot Saturday, May 23, against the San Diego Padres. Harden will be eligible to return June 2.

Stuck in an all too familiar fantasy baseball situation, Harden owners need to retain the starter with a DL spot. He shouldn't be cut considering his typical performance when healthy.

Given his extensive medical chart, keep in mind: He missed 34 games with a similar injury in 2006. On the encouraging side, this isn't an arm or shoulder problem, meaning it isn't residual from any of his recent maladies.

It has been a down season for the glass man, who despite displaying good command and dominance (53 K's, 21 walks) has been hit a bit harder than in years past (4.74 ERA, .241 opponents' clip).

Wells, who started the season with 11 shutout innings in two starts, remains a sound rental in deep NL leagues, especially for his next start against the ineffective Pads bats.

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Tim Heaney

Since the Boston University alum joined KFFL in 2006, his work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly and Yahoo! Sports, among numerous publications.

Tim competes in Tout Wars and LABR and appears every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore, as well as frequently on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio.

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