Rich Harden has not pitched in a game since April 15 because of a strained right shoulder, but he landed squarely in the news Monday. The encouraging news for Harden: He threw for the second consecutive day, pain-free, and could return in "a couple of weeks," according to manager Bob Geren. The intriguing and unexpected news is that Geren also said it's possible the A's would turn Harden into a reliever. Geren and assistant general manager David Forst soon backtracked, with Forst suggesting the team still views Harden as a starter. That has been the A's stance in the past, and it's a position Harden strongly endorses.