The Twins Cities media is now reporting that there is a chance that Scott Baker will begin the 2012 season on the Disabled List due to his elbow. I don't think this news surprises anyone. The questions must be asked:

 

1.) If he's going to miss a month, who fills his spot in the rotation?

 

2.) If he's giong to miss one or two starts, who fills the spot?

 

Candidates appear to be: Liam Hendriks, Terry Doyle, Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Matt Maloney, others?

Answers: 1) Liam Hendriks or Matt Maloney 2) Maloney or Swarzak.

 

At this point, it looks like Baker may just be held out until they need a fifth starter around April 15 and no one would replace him in the rotation. In that case, an additional relief pitcher (Manship?) may be kept for the first 10 days or an additional hitter could be on the opening day roster. The latter might improve Nishioka's chances of staying with the team a little longer.

The latter might improve Nishioka's chances of staying with the team a little longer.

Just what we need!

At least there is a good thing from all of this. His "tender elbow" of yesterday was diagnosed as "tendonitis" today. No ligament damage. This is really good news.

 

If he goes to the DL, the Twins do not need a fifth starter until 4/14 or so. Thus, it could be a position player of a pen guy who makes the team. This person should have options and go back to Rochester when Baker returns without dealing with the waiver wire. Nice and clean. And this eliminates a bunch of people.

 

If the Twins are going to use a 5th starter, I think that they will not mess with Duensing or Swarzak (or Maloney if he makes the pen) but the will use Hendriks who will go to Rochester once Baker is up. Nice and clean. Or so I hope.

Thus, it could be a position player

4 catchers!!!

4 catchers!!!

Drew got to make the team one way or another

Just what we need!

Didn't say I liked it. Just looking at probabilities. I'd negotiate a buyout and let him go back to Japan where he might be able to have some success again.

I'd negotiate a buyout and let him go back to Japan where he might be able to have some success again.

This does not happen in Baseball... NFL is a different story. Clueless about NBA and NHL, but if a contact is signed you owe that money to that player no matter what in MLB.

Yeah, I know, just wishful thinking.

A handy excuse to keep Doyle around. How nice.

Scott Baker has had tendonitis in his right elbow for 2-3 years. That is a pretty long bout of tendonitis?? Sure glad we did not upgrade our starting rotation this winter and had a backup plan. We most likely will lose 100 games and it's not even close.

Hendriks in either scenario.

if Backer is on the DL for a month Hendriks would be the 5th starter

I haven't been paying enough attention to who is throwing multiple innings in the spring. If Duensing is (I know he was early) I gotta think it'll be him. That would make sense because Maloney could be the 2nd LHP in the bullpen, so the bullpen opens up another spot.

What impact would it have on service time for someone like Hendriks (sorry I never understand all those ins and outs)? Can't see the Twins messing that up for a couple of starts.

What impact would it have on service time for someone like Hendriks (sorry I never understand all those ins and outs)? Can't see the Twins messing that up for a couple of starts.

If it's truly just a few starts, it'll be a minimum affect. I mean, his service time is only going when he's with the big league club, so when they send him down, it stops again. I think after his 3 hitless innings last night, he's probably the only one that makes sense.

If it's considered to be a short-term thing, I just can't see them going with Hendriks, even though he might be the best choice. Duensing or Swarzak seem far more likely, since the Twins see them as swing men.

Just checked yesterday's box score. Duensing only threw one inning. Swarzak is stretching out and Hendricks is stretched out, so I'm guessing it comes down to the two of them.

 

I'll go with Hendricks. I just think that the Twins are still (rightfully) worried enough about their bullpen that they won't want to weaken it by pulling Swarzak out if they have another (possibly even better) option.

 

1.) If he's going to miss a month, who fills his spot in the rotation?

 

2.) If he's giong to miss one or two starts, who fills the spot?

 

 

Considering it's the same Twins training staff from last year, I'm predicting option 1.