John

Baker

Baker, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, missed most of the 2011 season following Tommy John surgery, but batted .154 (2-for-13) after being activated from the disabled list in September. Picked up from the Marlins for left-hander Wade LeBlanc in November, he’ll share playing time with Nick Hundley behind the plate in 2012.

Baker, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, missed most of the 2011 season following Tommy John surgery, but batted .154 (2-for-13) after being activated from the disabled list in September. The 30-year-old backstop is a .271/.356/.401 career hitter in the big leagues and will likely serve as a left-handed hitting complement to the righty-hitting Nick Hundley.

Grandal suffered the injury while taking a swing Monday. John Baker will receive a majority of the vacated at-bats with Grandal on the shelf and could be of use in deeper NL-only fantasy leagues.

After starting the season 2-for-25 (.080), Baker has caught fire with five hits in his last seven at-bats. He performed well in part-time action before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and should continue contributing against right-handed pitchers going forward.

Baker would have been a non-tender candidate prior to Grandal’s suspension, but the Pads need him now. Hundley is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, but general manager Josh Byrnes said the backstop will “hopefully” be “full go” at the start of spring training.

The 40-man roster spot was needed with Logan Forsythe coming off the 60-day DL. Baker has batted only .223/.301/.258 over 79 games the last two years for the Padres. He’s had some success in the past, though, and some teams might view him as an upgrade to their backup catcher situation.

Baker, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, was activated from the DL and has made seven pinch-hitting appearances since. “I’m available, hoping to play, ready to play, but I understand [Jon Buck] and [Brett Hayes] have been here the whole year,” Baker said. Baker would like to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic this offseason in order to make up for lost time behind the plate.

The move clears a spot for Yasmani Grandal on the active roster. Baker, 31, is batting .150 (6-for-40) with two RBI in 16 games with the Padres this season.

Grandal failed to homer but batted .306 in nine minor league games to convince the Padres he was ready. He might initially share catching duties with Nick Hundley, but it’s probably only a matter of time before he plays pretty much every day. He’s a must-start in fantasy leagues. John Baker will be sent down to make room on the roster.

When you’re slugging more than 60 points less than your body weight, you probably aren’t long for the majors. Baker enjoyed a few months in the majors as Nick Hundley’s backup thanks to Grandal’s poor judgment, but did nothing to lock himself into a long-term bench gig, batting an unsightly .150/.261/.150 in 16 games.