At LSU, Linden distinguished himself as a switch hitter by setting a Southeastern Conference record for games in a season with home runs hit from both sides of the plate.

Linden, in only his 24th major league at-bat, became just the 12th player to hit a home run into the second deck at Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962.

On November 21, 2007, he was signed by the Oakland Athletics to a minor league contract (Sacramento River Cats) with an invitation to spring training, but did not make the A's roster.

On May 27, 2008, Linden signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.

On June 12, 2009, the Yankees sold Linden's contract to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.