Rangers keep Harden off playoff roster

Pitcher Rich Harden will spend his second trip to the American League Division Series out of uniform, watching his Texas Rangers teammates from the stands.

Harden, who has largely ineffective for much of the regular season, was left off the playoff roster of the AL West champions.

The Rangers have opted for a three-man starting rotation, led by ace Cliff Lee. He will open the post-season Wednesday against the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays, followed by C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis.

Harden's omission is hardly a shock as he finished his eighth major league season and first with Texas with a 5-5 record and 5.58 earned-run average over 20 appearances, including 18 starts.

"That's the big thing I've struggled with, is finding consistency," the Victoria native told reporters recently. "I guess that's been the key to this season."

Harden's last appearance, a no-decision versus Seattle in which he allowed four earned runs in four innings, could be the right-hander's last in Texas as the team probably won't exercise his $11 million US mutual option for 2011.

The 28-year-old Harden didn't exactly dominate in two previous division series appearances, posting a combined 7.94 ERA in three games (one start) with Oakland in 2003 and the Chicago Cubs in 2008.

He also started one game in the 2006 post-season as a member of the Athletics, taking the loss after giving up three runs (all earned) and walking five over 5 2/3 innings.

The 2010 campaign wasn't all doom and gloom for Harden, coming within seven outs of pitching a no-hitter versus eventual AL Central champion Minnesota on Aug. 23.

A week later, he was working out of the bullpen, only to return to the rotation in September for three more starts.

The oft-injured Harden's season also included more than two months on the sidelines because of a strained muscle in his lower back and inflamed left shoulder.

Harden returned to the AL this season after signing a free-agent contract last winter for a guaranteed $7.5 million US, which includes a $1 million buyout if the $11 million option isn't exercised.

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