Cha Seung

Baek

Baek was drilled in his last start, but is due to start Wednesday in Seattle against Cleveland.

He will replace LHP Ron Villone in the rotation. Baek had a 5-4 record at Triple-A Tacoma with a 4.28 ERA and a 60/25 strikeout to walk ratio. Baseball America projects Baek as a number four starter. We will have to see a positive start or two from him before we get too excited.

It’s uncertain when Baek will return.

Baek ended last season in Seattle’s rotation and he would have more opportunities this season if not for his poor performance at Tacoma. At this point, he may be iffy for a September callup.

Baek, who was taken off the Mariners’ 40-man roster following a disappointing 2005, is 11-4 with a 2.80 ERA, 121 H and 94/33 K/BB in 135 IP for Tacoma. There’s a good chance he’ll make at least a couple of spot starts for the Mariners before the end of the year.

Baek, back from Tommy John surgery, was 5-1 with a 3.65 ERA, 55 H and 50/9 K/BB in 56 2/3 IP for Inland Empire. He’s a solid pitching prospect, but the Mariners have several better arms ahead of him.

Each of the runs scored on a Bobby Abreu homer. Baek struck out six and walked three. Since he was moved up to start tonight, he won’t get two starts next week as originally expected. AL-only leaguers probably won’t want to use him Sunday against the Red Sox. Still, he could be a decent play against the Devil Rays in his following start.

The Mariners will use the final six weeks of the season to take looks at various young players and Baek is an intriguing prospect. He’s 12-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 103/37 strikeout/walk ratio in 147 innings at Triple-A.

Baek takes the roster spot opened up the Jamie Moyer trade. He’ll get the Yankees in his first start Wednesday, so he’s not going to be worth using in AL-only leagues right away. However, if he holds his own tomorrow, he’d be a fair play against the Angels and Devil Rays next week.

Baek had a no-hit bid snapped when David Ortiz hit a solo homer in the sixth. Mike Lowell later added a solo blast of his own that inning, chasing Baek from the game. The right-hander walked five and struck out four, so he wasn’t really as good as the results looked. You could do worse than use him against the Devil Rays next time out, but he’s not a great option.