Righthander Rich Harden, by mutual agreement, was granted his unconditional release from the Twins after attempting a comeback following shoulder surgery last year.

Harden, 31, has spent the year starting and stopping throwing programs at Fort Myers, Fla., unable to get to the point where he could pitch in games. He spoke on one the phone with Antony on Thursday when the decision was made to part ways.

"He said that is shoulder is staring to bother him again and we gave him his unconditional release," Antony said. "He said he is going to take a couple of months off, not throw, and see how he feels and crank it back up.

"He said, 'Every time I got to a point where I feel good and throw live batting practice and it looks like I'm ready to get into a game, something pops up.' "

Harden was signed to a minor league deal, costing the Twins $15,000 until he made the team, so they believed it was a low-risk move.