Harden returned to the disabled list with a strained ligament in his right elbow Thursday. Harden had just come back from the DL with a torn oblique muscle and made only one start, pitching four innings on Sunday against Minnesota. But in the third inning, his sore elbow became worse. He underwent an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday, which revealed the strain.
(Updated 6/8/2006)

Analysis: Oakland head trainer Larry Davis said Harden, who is 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA, will not need surgery. "He probably tried too hard," Davis said of Harden, who was on a pitch count against the Twins. "Rich is an intense competitor and he probably tried to do too much. This can happen on one throw."