Scott Baker (elbow) threw a successful 45-pitch bullpen session Saturday. Baker will throw at least two simulated games and a live batting practice session before being reevaluated. It's still not clear whether he'll be available to pitch in spring training. If Baker can avoid setbacks, he should only miss the first couple weeks of the 2013 season.

Scott Baker (elbow) is scheduled to throw a side session Monday before being reevaluated. Baker is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery. It's not clear when he'll be ready to pitch in a spring training game, so it appears he'll begin the season on the disabled list. Still, the Cubs are hoping he'll be able to make an impact before long.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Thursday that Scott Baker (elbow) is unlikely to be ready on Opening Day. "There's an above average chance he'll start a little late," is how Sveum put it. Baker underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last April and is still in recovery mode. If he can avoid setbacks, he should only miss the first couple weeks of the 2013 campaign.

Scott Baker (elbow) threw 40 pitches at around 70 percent effort on Tuesday afternoon in Cubs camp. The 31-year-old right-hander is hoping to be recovered from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery by the beginning of the 2013 regular season. "I'm as far along as I'm supposed to be right now," Baker said Tuesday after his short workout. "I would say '100 percent' would be pitching in games, and obviously, there are no games to pitch in. That's part of the process is using spring training to prepare for the season."

Cubs president Theo Epstein said he expects Scott Baker (elbow) to be ready for Opening Day. Baker will be exactly 12 months removed from Tommy John surgery for the start of the season, so there's a chance he won't miss any time if he can avoid setbacks. More likely, the 31-year-old right-hander will begin the season on the disabled list to continue to build up his workload. Baker, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Cubs in November, is expected to be up to 75 pitches by the end of spring training.

Cubs president Theo Epstein said Wednesday that Scott Baker (elbow) should be up to 75 pitches by the end of spring training. Baker, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Cubs in November, is currently nine months removed from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs aren't going to push him too soon, so he'll likely begin the season on the disabled list to continue to build up his workload. A return in the early part of the season still appears likely if all goes well, so he makes for a fine DL-stash in fantasy leagues.

Cubs signed RHP Scott Baker to a one-year contract. No word yet on the exact terms involved. It's a nice buy-low opportunity for Theo Epstein and company, as Baker is coming off Tommy John surgery and has enjoyed success in the past. The 31-year-old right-hander should be ready around the early part of the 2013 season if he can avoid setbacks. He could be an excellent trade chip for the Cubbies if he bounces back.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays are interested in impending free agent Scott Baker. The Twins declined Baker's $9.25 million option for 2013 but are interested in bringing the right-hander back. They'll clearly have competition, though, as Morosi says the Red Sox, Cubs and Rangers all have varying degrees of interest in the righty. Baker missed all of 2012 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but should be ready to go early next season. The Blue Jays will also keep tabs on Zack Greinke, Anibal Sanchez, Kyle Lohse and Ryan Dempster, among others, as they attempt to upgrade their rotation.

Scott Baker he and the Twins are "not close" to a new deal, but are "definitely closer than when it started." The Twins declined Baker's $9.25 million option for 2013 but are interested in bringing the right-hander back. "We're talking, and obviously I think there's a mutual feeling that I want to be back, and they want me back," Baker said. "But it has to make sense for both parties, and we're just not there yet. There's a lot to consider. I'll just say, we're not close, but we're definitely closer than when it started. I'm by no means discouraged by anything that's gone on so far. But at the same time, there are great teams and other possibilities out there." Baker missed all of 2012 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but should be ready to go early next season.

Twins declined RHP Scott Baker's $9.5 million option for 2013. It's no surprise, as Baker missed the entire season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins haven't ruled out re-signing Baker on an incentive-laden, one-year deal.