Twins starting pitcher Scott Baker will begin the season on the disabled list, the club announced via Twitter Saturday afternoon. The right-hander has been battling elbow inflammation throughout camp and he evidently won't be ready for the start of the season. The the move is retroactive to March 27, so Baker is eligible to come off the DL April 11. The Twins -- and their fans, of course -- have to be hoping this isn't a harbinger of things to come. The 2011 Twins season was utterly decimated by injuries. Baker wasn't immune, as he made just 21 starts, missing time in July, August and September.
When he did pitch, Baker was good. In fact, he was easily the most effective starting pitcher for the Twins, going 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 134 2/3 innings.
Due to an off-day, the Twins won't need a fifth starter until April 15, but they still need to do something with the fourth spot. Three surefire starters heading into the season just as expected are Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano and Nick Blackburn. Jason Marquis has missed a good chunk of camp while tending to his ailing daughter and will not open the season with the club. Liam Hendriks is set to jump into the rotation, giving the Twins four. Next, the Twins have Brian Duensing and Anthony Swarzak as options for the fifth spot, if needed, before Marquis or Baker can return.
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