Thought this was an interesting note in the Sun Times today:

The team was not ruling out surgery for right-hander Rich Harden as they awaited results of exams by their medical staff before tonight's midnight deadline for exercising his $7 million club option for 2009.

Harden's health has been an issue since the Cubs acquired him in July, and his velocity waned significantly at the end of the season.

Also interesting is that hte deadline extension is midnight tonight.

Update: As stated in the thread, the option has now been excercised and surgery is off the table.