Luken

Baker

The 28-year-old slugger had been designated for assignment on Friday, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra depth for the Dodgers at the Triple-A level.

Baker was just claimed off of waivers from the Giants on Monday, but the Dodgers needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster on Friday for the promotion of Justin Dean and unfortunately Baker was the odd man out. It’s possible that the 28-year-old slugger could once again attract interest on waivers.

There’s no path to at-bats at the cold corner in Los Angeles with Freddie Freeman firmly entrenched at the position, but Baker provides the club with an interesting lefty-mashing platoon option down the road.

Baker has played sparingly this season, hitting .235 (8-for-34) with two RBI in 19 games off the Cardinals bench. He’s made just two starts since April 20. He’ll head back to the minors where he’ll get more of an opportunity to play regularly.

Burleson has gone 5-for-23 over his last seven games and has yet to connect for a home run through 15 contests. There’s no reason for long-term concern here, but the Cardinals are seemingly going to give Luken Baker some additional opportunities at DH against left-handers, which includes on Monday night against Astros southpaw Framber Valdez.

With the Angels starting left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, the Cardinals will send Burleson to the bench and have Luken Baker start at designated hitter. Early on, it’s clear that Burleson and Baker will be in a platoon at 1B/DH with Willson Contreras getting regular starts at the other spot.

After three seasons spent mostly in Triple-A, Baker finally appears to be in good position to make the Cardinals as a righty DH. A role expanded beyond that probably wouldn’t be a good idea, as he’s just not someone who figures to hit for average at all. The power, on the other hand, is plenty legit.

An elite Triple-A slugger, Baker is hoping to make the Cardinals as a righty DH option. He’s blasted 86 homers in 318 career games for Memphis, but he’s thus far hit just .198/.304/.341 in 148 major league plate appearances.

Baker was away from the team for three days. No word yet whether he’s in tonight’s lineup, but since the Dodgers are starting off with a righty in their bullpen game tonight, he probably won’t be.

The Cardinals just keep on winning extra-inning games. They’ve won in extras on back-to-back nights and three times in their last three tries. Coincidentally, all three have come against the Brewers. Baker played the hero in this one with his 10th inning single off Hoby Milner to set up the victory. Baker has shown impressive power with two homers, a double, and nine RBI in just 19 at-bats since being called up, but isn’t much more than a short-side platoon partner with Alec Burleson at DH right now.