By: Aj Mansour | KFAN.com
@AjKFAN

Minneapolis, MN - The Minnesota Twins have announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Rich Harden to a minor league contract with an invite to 2013 Major League Spring Training.

Harden, 31 years old, most recently spent time with the Oakland Athletics (2011) but missed all of the 2012 season with a shoulder strain that resulted in season ending surgery. Per the Twins release, Harden, a 6'1" right handed pitcher, ranks third in the majors since 2003 with a 9.20 strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio (min. 900 innings) behind Tim Lincecum (9.76) and Clayton Kershaw (9.26).

With a career record of 59-38 and a 3.76 ERA, Harden is not the pitch-to-contact type of pitcher that Twins fans are used to seeing around Target field. Signing him to a minor league deal with an invite to make the major league team is a best case scenario for the Twins who are looking for all the help they can get in their starting rotation.

Diamond Undergoes Elbow Scope:
Also included in the team's release, the most likely candidate to open the season for the Minnesota Twins, Scott Diamond, underwent a scope on his left elbow Tuesday to remove a bone chip. The procedure was performed by Dr. David Altchek (former Mets Medical Director). According to the release, Diamond will be ready for Spring Training 2013.

Aj Mansour covers Minnesota Sports for KFAN.com. Feel free to leave comments and questions on this post or others in the designated comment box below. For Twins updates and breaking Twins news, follow Aj on Twitter. @AjMansourKFAN