It's bad news for the Twins.
And even worse news for Scott Baker.
The righthander needs surgery to repair a damaged flexor pronator tendon that will require six months of recovery and rehab, which ends his 2012 season.
"As you know, it's been a battle," Baker said. " Unfortunately, it's a losing battle at this point."
Baker said it's the same problem that landed him on the DL twice last season.
The surgery will be performed by Dr. David Altcheck, the same doctor who did Tommy John surgeries in Joe Nathan and Kyle Gibson.
It's a blow for the Twins because Baker, at age 30, looked to be hitting his stride as a starter, posting a 3.14 ERA last season.
For Baker, the timing couldn't be worse. The Twins hold a 2013 option for $9.5 million that probably won't get picked up.
