Scott

Baker

Baker was lit up in his last two starts, leaving him 3-7 with a 6.93 ERA for the season. Boof Bonser, who is filling in for Francisco Liriano on Wednesday, will take his roster spot for now. The Twins will then decide whether to keep Bonser in the rotation or go to Matt Garza.

Maybe it’s now Matt Garza time. Baker has been effective in just one of his three starts since being recalled after the break.

Boof Bonser will start Saturday against the Mariners and the Twins will push Baker back this time through the rotation.

Just like Tom Kelly in his final few years, Ron Gardenhire often prefers experience to performance and talent. Baker has still been the Twins’ second-best starter this year, and although he certainly had a rough May, Gardenhire gave him little chance to bounce back by using him on nine days’ and eight days’ rest on separate occasions. Baker will return at some point and likely be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter. Carlos Silva is taking his rotation spot for now.

Baker was starting on nine days’ rest even though he won last time out. He also made a start on eight days’ rest earlier this month. It’s not the kind of schedule that is likely to lead to any consistency at all.

Baker would be replaced in the rotation by Carlos Silva, who was demoted to the bullpen just a couple weeks ago. The rotation spot will next start Sunday, regardless of who fills it.

Baker will be replaced on the roster by Shawn Wooten and replaced in the rotation by Carlos Silva. He’ll join Kyle Lohse as demoted former big leaguers in the Rochester rotation. Expect Baker to be back in the second half.

Baker struck out eight and walked just one, but a pair of two-run homers made the right-hander’s ERA look disappointing. That he’s given up nine homers in eight starts is of concern, but Baker’s 36/6 K/BB ratio is very encouraging. We like his chances of improving on his current 5.28 ERA a good deal, so he’s not a bad buy-low candidate. AL-only leaguers will want him active against the Mariners next week.

He’s 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA, 20 H and 28/11 K/BB in 27 IP. Baker should be back in Minnesota’s rotation by the All-Star break or shortly thereafter. Actually, he never should have been removed in the first place.

The game was called in the eighth with the Twins up 6-1. Oddly, Baker’s two best starts of the year have come against the Yankees. He is capable of more outings like this one, but since he’s due to face the Tigers next, he doesn’t need to be picked up right away.