Baker will rest sore back muscle

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: March 8, 2008 - 10:56 PM

BRADENTON, FLA. — Twins righthander Scott Baker threw two scoreless innings during the Twins' 8-4 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday but admitted afterward he's been pitching despite having a slightly strained back muscle.

He will be shut down for a couple of days before his next bullpen session is scheduled, and there's a good chance he will be pushed back a couple of days in the spring training rotation.

"It's not pain,'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It's one of those things where it's aching. We're going to back him off a few more days here and see where we go from there. See if we can get it cleared up and straightened up.

"He says he's fine to throw, but he keeps feeling it, and we don't want that to continue.''

Baker said he tweaked the muscle Monday during the Twins' 'B' game against Boston and still felt it the next morning. He went ahead with Saturday's start and felt great after the first inning. But he wasn't as loose as he'd like to be after throwing a couple of pitches in the second inning, which the Twins say they think is a result of him sitting and cooling off between innings.

"I can throw,'' he said, "but it's spring training and there's no sense pushing it. I felt good, as far as stuff.''

Baker pitched two scoreless innings Saturday. If his 'B' game stats are included, he's thrown seven scoreless innings this spring.

"I feel like I'm repeating my delivery pretty good,'' Baker said. "Breaking stuff is good. Action on the pitches are good.''

Baker, 9-9 with a 4.26 ERA last season, will have plenty of time to get ready for the regular season. If he doesn't pitch Opening Day he's still expected to be near the front of the Twins' retooled rotation.

Baker and Co. received good run support Saturday, as Justin Morneau drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and a two-run double and Craig Monroe and Jason Kubel homered. The Twins had seven extra-base hits in winning their seventh game in a row.

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