The Rangers may skip Rich Harden's next start.

The Rangers are off on Monday and Thursday, giving them the opportunity to skip the starter with whom they have the least comfort. At this point, that's obviously Harden, who has either been ineffective or injured most of the season. He's 4-3 with a 5.25 ERA and hasn't belonged on a mixed league roster in some time.

Rich Harden limited the Angels to one run over seven innings to win Saturday in his return to the rotation.

While he struck out just three, Harden threw better tonight than he did at any point before going on the DL in June. That's not to say it will last -- he's a tough guy to rely on -- but he suddenly looks like an option in mixed leagues again.

Rangers activated RHP Rich Harden from the 15-day disabled list.

Harden has struggled for the Rangers this season and was even dangled at the trade deadline, but he's still capable of racking up strikeouts and has the talent to finish the year strong. He'll get back to business on Saturday night with a start against the Angels and right-hander Dan Haren.

According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are expected to start Rich Harden on Saturday and ship Scott Feldman to the bullpen.

Both are also reportedly on the trade block. Harden was shaky over his first three rehab starts, but struck out 10 over six shutout innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday night. Feldman has a 5.46 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP over 20 starts.

The Rangers are shopping Rich Harden and Scott Feldman around in advance of Saturday's trade deadline.

Harden looked like more of a possibility for an August deal, but it's possible someone would gamble on him now. The Mets are believed to have some interest. Haren is still on the DL at the moment, but he's ready to come off and it's possible he'll get the nod over Feldman in Saturday night's game.

The Rangers haven't decided whether Rich Harden (glute) will return from the disabled list to start against the Angels this weekend.

"We're going to discuss it," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "There is something to be determined. We just haven't determined it yet. Anything is possible, but we just haven't talked about it yet." Harden was shaky over his first three rehab starts, but struck out 10 over his shutout innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday night. The Rangers' rotation is pretty crowded, but Harden could conceivably replace Scott Feldman, who has struggled of late.

Rich Harden (glute) struck out 10 over six shutout innings in his fourth minor league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

That's more like it. Harden entered Monday's game with a 7.94 ERA over his first three rehab starts. In addition to the 10 strikeouts, Harden allowed only two hits while walking just one. It may be enough to get him off the disabled list, but there's a real chance he could find himself in the bullpen upon his return.

Rich Harden (glute) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

It shouldn't be a surprise. Harden, who has been sidelined since early June with a gluteal muscle strain, has a 7.94 ERA over his first three rehab starts. The goal is for him to throw 100 pitches on Monday. He'll need to have better results before the Rangers bring him back.

Rich Harden (glute) allowed six runs over five innings in his third minor league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Harden now has a 7.94 ERA through three rehab starts, including 16 hits and three home runs allowed over 11 1/3 innings. The Rangers haven't decided what to do with him, but it sure looks like he could use some more work.

Rich Harden (glute) tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in a minor league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Harden gave up one hit while striking out two and walking one. He'll likely need at least one and possibly two more starts before returning from the disabled list. He has a shot at returning later this month.

Rich Harden (glute) is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start on Sunday.

The club has yet to decide where he will make the rehab start. He's expected to join the improved Rangers rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Rich Harden (glute) threw an abbreviated bullpen session Tuesday.

The session was cut short by rain. Rangers manager Ron Washington said Harden will need one more bullpen session before going out on a rehab assignment. He'll likely need two rehab starts, which would place his return no sooner than June 20 against the Tigers.

Rich Harden (glute) threw a 58-pitch bullpen session on Thursday.

The rehabbing starter was pleased with the workout and could head out on a rehab assignment as early as Monday. "I'm feeling good," Harden said Thursday. "I'm getting to where I wanted to be. I'm getting on top of the ball and staying through it. It's coming out of my hand the way it should."

Rich Harden (gluteal muscle strain) is is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday.

Harden successfully completed his first bullpen session on Sunday. He'll likely need two minor league rehab starts before he is activated from the disabled list, so he is probably in position to return right after the All-Star break.

Rich Harden (gluteal muscle strain) has begun throwing off flat ground.

"First we've got to go through the flat ground stuff," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "He only threw 60 feet [Tuesday]. Once we get him out to normal length, which I think is 120 feet, after he does that and everything is fine then he'll move to the mound. We've got to build him back up and get him through the process." It's expected that Harden will need at least two rehab starts, so a return before the All-Star break might be pushing it.

Rich Harden received an injection in his lower back Thursday and will not throw again until next week.

The hope is that it will help accelerate the healing process for his strained gluteal muscle. The team's rotation is obviously hurting in a big way right now, so they would love to have him back as soon as possible.

The Rangers haven't decided who will replace Rich Harden (gluteal muscle strain) in the starting rotation for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

The Rangers could have delayed the decision until Saturday, however they want to give Scott Feldman and Colby Lewis extra rest headed into the All-Star break. Assuming they are not needed in long relief, Matt Harrison or Dustin Nippert are the two most likely candidates for the assignment. Doug Mathis or Guillermo Moscoso are possibilities from Triple A Oklahoma City.

An MRI on Rich Harden's left gluteal strain revealed no further damage.

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with the injury, although some wondered if the injury may have just been an excuse to eject his 5.68 ERA from the rotation.

Rangers placed RHP Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list with a gluteal strain.

As Evan Grant speculated Saturday morning, Harden is sent to the disabled list so that Alexi Ogando could be recalled. It doesn't take much cynicism to wonder if this is a real injury or simply a way to get Harden out of the rotation for a couple of turns. MLB is likely to investigate this strain the same way they did with Oliver Perez's knee injury, but for now, the Rangers have made their move.

Manager Ron Washington told the Dallas Morning News that Rich Harden's spot in the rotation is safe, despite the righty's slow start to the season.

It was always going to be a tough row to hoe for Harden as he moved from the National League to one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the harder league, but his struggles this year go beyond simple league and park factors. Given the Rangers' injuries in the rotation, it makes sense that Washington would be giving one of his live bodies a vote of confidence, but we wonder if his tune will be the same when everyone is healthy.