PiPress' Mike Berardino writes a nice comprehensive article about Rich Harden's history, signing and attempt to return. (It's a good read and is worth bookmarking as it is a nice reference.) It's also very optimistic, but everyone is being very, very careful not to talk about a goal date to return.

 

Would a June 1 return to the majors be a realistic goal? "I don't know," Harden said. "I'd love to say that, but I try not to think too far ahead. There could be a lot more ahead of me. I just don't know."

 

Based on other info in the story, 6/1 seems optimistic. He won't face live batters for at least a few more weeks. There is also no talk about what his role will be.

 

Minnesota Twins: Rich Harden knows baby steps are in right direction - TwinCities.com

I hope Harden can make a come-back. I was for the move all the way. He's had a rough go after such a promising start to his career.

Harden is a cheap, low risk lottery ticket.

I think the odds that we ever see him pitch a regular season game with a Twins uniform on is probably somewhere below or right at 50%.

Harden is a cheap, low risk lottery ticket.

I think the odds that we ever see him pitch a regular season game with a Twins uniform on is probably somewhere below or right at 50%.

 

I was curious about the Harden situation, and stumbled upon this article too. Thanks for posting it here, John. If 94% of pitchers return from Tommy John/elbow surgery, and 70% come back from shoulder work, I hope you are just being a realist here, Mr. Brooks. This would be a true feel-good story for the folks up in Bagley, MN, where Harden's wife hails from. Super nice guy. I wish him the best.

Great low risk signing, as long as you are not assuming it works. I hope he makes it back someday.

I've said it before and I'll say it again there isn't a pitching staff in the entire world that needs a power starting pitcher in the mold of Harden more than the Twins. Here's hoping.

I liked the signing and still do, still looks like the Twins backed the wrong high-risk high-reward, recently-out-of-baseball-fireballer. Scott Kazmir has made Cleveland's rotation and has looked good this preseason.

I think in the end, if he gets back to the majors at all, his real value will be as a 7th inning guy out of the bullpen. History says he won't hold up to a ton of innings.