Rich Harden To Miss Entire 2012 Season With Shoulder Injury

Often injured starting pitcher Rich Harden will again be sidelined as he is expected to miss the entirety of the 2012 season after shoulder surgery, according to MLB.com.

“I understand that I have to sit out this season as I rehab the shoulder," Harden told MLB.com’s Peter Gammons. "That's fine. I know what I have to do, and I am hopeful that at this time next year I'll be healthy and ready to try to come back with someone. To be honest, I'm relieved to have it over and move forward. It's been a long time since I felt the way I should. It's been five years of inconsistency."

Harden was one time considered one of the best young pitchers in baseball, however a series of injuries have allowed him to make 25-or-more starts in a season just twice since 2006.

Harden tallied 15 starts last season for the Oakland Athletics, posting a 5.12 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 82.2 innings pitched. While he has nine Major League seasons under his belt, he is only 30-years-old.