Trade speculation doesn't disrupt Haren's roll
Only run off Marlins right-hander the difference during otherwise effective start
MIAMI -- Marlins veteran right-hander Dan Haren has endured enough trade speculation over his career that he understands the best way to handle the pressure that comes with it.
"If anything happens, it happens -- I can't control anything," Haren said after Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Nationals. "I said that after the last start. There's no use in me worrying about it."
Haren -- who has been traded four times in his career and is a candidate to be dealt again before Friday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline -- controlled what he could in the series finale.
The 34-year-old Haren, a free agent at season's end, tossed six innings and allowed just one run on 102 pitches. Continuing what has been a solid season, Haren has posted a quality start in seven of his past 10 outings. On Thursday, he lowered his ERA to 3.42 but saw his record fall to 7-7.
"He's a pro," said manager Dan Jennings, whose Marlins dealt Mat Latos and Michael Morse to the Dodgers on Thursday for prospects as part of a three-team trade involving the Braves. "Dan Haren, in my time in the game, is one of the most professional mentors that I've ever been around. The way he carries himself, the things he shares with the young players and what he does on that mound every fifth day -- he is exactly the definition of a pitcher."
Haren struck out four and walked two, once again displaying his craftiness with his mid-80s fastball and command of his offspeed stuff.
"[Trade speculation] isn't anything I'm thinking about when I'm on the mound, that's for sure," Haren said. "The Deadline's tomorrow, and we'll see what happens. I'll just go about my day. If something happens, it happens."
The only run Haren surrendered on Thursday was a second-inning home run to Ryan Zimmerman -- the 21st homer Haren has allowed this season, which tied him for fifth most in the National League. Still, he has tossed six innings and allowed one run in three of his past five starts.
"I tip my hat to what Dan Haren has been able to do this past week with trade rumors -- he's going here, he's going there," Jennings said. "He's showing a lot of people how to be a pro."