Baker throws 49 pitches, could be headed to DL
Posted on March 26th, 2008 – 12:59 PMBy Joe Christensen
FORT MYERS — Scott Baker threw 49 pitches today for Class AAA Rochester, going three innings in a camp game against Class AA New Britain.
Baker had hoped to throw 70 pitches to remain on schedule for his April 4 start against Kansas City, so he might have to open the season on the disabled list.
Baker allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. It was his first game action since March 8, when he left his start after two innings with a strained right lat muscle.
He went on to lose 12 pounds because of the flu but has since gained at least five pounds of that back.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire won’t be available to comment until after the game. We’ll keep you posted.
13 Responses to "Baker throws 49 pitches, could be headed to DL"
DL
He’s not ready.
I assume since it was a minor league game that he pitched in, his DL could still be made retroactive?
If Baker goes to the DL….who comes up? Liriano likely will stay in AAA to start the season.
Humber?
Have to figure it would be Humber, yeah… unless someone real interesting hits the waiver wires today.
what about blackburn?
Didn’t he already make the club?
No way Frankie goes to Rochester. Way too cold and the weather is way too unpredictable up there this time of year. If he doesn’t break to MSP on Saturday then he stays in Ft. Myers for the duration of the rehab.
I saw Baker pitch 2 innings against Pawtucket last Saturday before the rain
came so he has pitched in a minor league game since March 8 not that it makes any difference. I think he threw the same amount of pitches. I would recommend Humber coming up. He was throwing pretty hard when I saw him down there. I have to believe that the reason he didn’t make it is because they want him to start. He would have made it they wanted him in the bullpen.
The word on Liriano was that if he didn’t go north with the big club he’d stay in florida. It wasn’t competition he needs, it’s innings. but I think the Twins really didn’t want two pitchers with a limited pitch count. that would really tax the pen. Plus knowing Liriano was destined for a rotation spot I think the Twins wanted a longer look at Blackburn and Slowey. With Baker starting on DL it really solves both problems. Look for Liriano and Blackburn to go north if we see a decent ST start for Liriano coming up.
Looks like the rotation will be
1.Hernandez
2.Bonser
3.Slowey
4.Blackburn (with Baker taken that spot when ready)
5.Liriano (if he can’t make it by the 5th game, Bass or Humber)
great effort by Livan today
if baker can’t go blackburn will join liriano who i think will make the rotation either way.
I say go with Liriano, but I don’t the Twins will speed up his timetable.
Looks like both closers want to suck in the Brewers-Cubs game.
