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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Scott Baker’s elbow surgery likely to end his Twins career

As if their 1-4 start wasn’t bad enough, the Twins announced Wednesday that Scott Baker will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the flexor pronator tendon in his right elbow.

Baker has battled elbow problems since 2010, needing two disabled list stints last season and beginning this year back on the shelf, yet last week the Twins gave him an MRI exam and Terry Ryan called the results “very similar to what it showed last July” and “good news.”

Baker sought a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek, who performed Tommy John surgery on Joe Nathan in 2010 and Kyle Gibson last year, and he recommended that Baker go under the knife as well.

While the recovery timetable for Baker is six months, as opposed to 12 to 18 months for Tommy John surgery, he’ll miss the entire season and may have pitched his final game for the Twins, given that they’ll surely decline his $9.25 million option for 2013.

Which one was Baker again? The mediocre starter who hardly walks anyone, or the slightly better than mediocre starter who hardly walks anyone?

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: April 12, 2012 at 01:53 PM | 13 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: scott baker, twins

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1. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: April 12, 2012 at 03:19 PM (#4105111)

to repair the flexor pronator

That sounds like something a dishonest mechanic claims is broken on your car.

2. WillYoung Posted: April 12, 2012 at 03:56 PM (#4105153)

Baker was actually very good when healthy. However, the Twins front office gave the broadcasters permission to crap all over him whenever they wanted, so the fans never really appreciated how good he has been.

3. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: April 12, 2012 at 04:01 PM (#4105161)

Which one was Baker again? The mediocre starter who hardly walks anyone, or the slightly better than mediocre starter who hardly walks anyone?

Sadly, he was the one who could actually K a few guys.

4. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: April 12, 2012 at 04:01 PM (#4105162)

That sounds like something a dishonest mechanic claims is broken on your car.

He's also going to need a new Johnson rod.

5. The Long Arm of Rudy Law Posted: April 12, 2012 at 04:06 PM (#4105163)

In a couple of years, he'll sign a one-day contract to retire as a Twin.

6. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: April 12, 2012 at 06:23 PM (#4105272)

Which one was Baker again? The mediocre starter who hardly walks anyone, or the slightly better than mediocre starter who hardly walks anyone?

This sums up my recollection of "recent" Twins starting pitchers not named Santana or Liriano anytime I do a Sporcle quiz that calls for the names of Twins starting pitchers that aren't those two guys.

7. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: April 12, 2012 at 06:37 PM (#4105281)

OK Twins fans, identify these six pitchers, all born between September 1981 and September 1985.

--

LHP drafted by the Twins in the first round out of University of Minnesota, made 44 starts for the Twins 2008-present. 2.4 career BB/9

RHP drafted by the Twins in the second round out of Davie HS (FL), made 24 starts for the Twins 2009-present. 2.6 career BB/9

RHP drafted by the Twins in the second round out of Winthrop University, made 90 starts for the Twins 2007-2011. 1.4 career BB/9

RHP drafted by the Twins in the second round out of Oklahoma State University, made 159 starts for the Twins 2005-present. 2.1 career BB/9

LHP drafted by the Twins in the third round out of University of Nebraska, made 50 starts for the Twins 2009-present. 2.8 career BB/9

RHP drafted by the Twins in the 29th round out of Seminole Community College, made 119 starts for the Twins 2008-present. 2.2 career BB/9

--

And for a bonus 10 points, which one had consecutive seasons in which he went 11-11 with a 4.03 ERA, and then went 11-11 with a 4.05 ERA?

8. JJ1986 Posted: April 12, 2012 at 06:44 PM (#4105285)

Is the bonus Blackburn? He's the only one whose been consistent.

9. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: April 12, 2012 at 06:48 PM (#4105287)

Baker went to Oklahoma State, I remember that.

I also know who was taken out of Winthrop, but I won't say.

10. WillYoung Posted: April 12, 2012 at 07:38 PM (#4105320)

Easy:

Perkins, Swarzak, Slowey, Baker, Dunce, and Blackburn (the consistent one in 2008-09 and consistently bad ever since).

11. flournoy Posted: April 12, 2012 at 07:48 PM (#4105324)

I had no idea that I wasn't the only one who couldn't keep the Twins' pitchers straight.

12. Craig in MN Posted: April 13, 2012 at 12:37 AM (#4105404)

I say Baker will be back next year, to keep the confusion alive. With Liriano, Pavano, Marquis and Baker being free agents after the season, and no sure-fire options to replace them, they are going to need to sign a couple of starters. The Twins won't pick up Baker's option, but it's almost guaranteed that they'll look for a cheap starter that pitches to contact and doesn't walk many. Why wouldn't they try to sign Baker?

13. MM1f Posted: April 13, 2012 at 12:48 AM (#4105408)

Slowey came out of the Throp. I was a huge fan of the early/mid 00s Winthrop teams.

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Scott Baker’s elbow surgery likely to end his Twins career

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