Harden sent to Rangers' bullpen

Rich Harden came within seven outs of pitching a no-hitter on Aug. 23. He probably won't get any closer this season.

That's because the Texas Rangers right-hander will work out of the bullpen for the foreseeable future.

On Saturday, Harden allowed four earned runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings against Oakland.

The Victoria hurler is 2-2 with a 3.54 earned-run average over his last four starts and 5-5 with a 5.17 ERA in 17 outings overall this season.

"It was two-fold," Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine told reporters. "One is we've had inconsistencies out of the fifth starter the last few times through. We're trying to mix and match to find the right chemistry.

Harden, 28, also has missed more than two months because of a strained muscle in his lower back and inflammation in his left shoulder.

Derek Holland will take Harden's spot in the starting rotation.

"We're going to give Derek another chance," Levine said. "This also gives us another right-hander out of the bullpen with Frankie [Francisco] out."

Harden has made only eight relief appearances in his major league career and hasn't pitched in relief since 2007. He has made 144 career starts.

Harden didn't allow a hit against the Minnesota Twins for 6 2/3 innings, the longest no-hit outing in Rangers history among starters who didn't finish the game.

He has been mostly a disappointment for Texas after signing as a free agent last winter for a guaranteed $7.5 million US. That includes a $1-million buyout if an $11.5-million mutual option for next season isn't exercised.

Harden has been on the disabled list nine times in six seasons.