Jeff Baker (shoulder) is out of Monday's lineup against the Cubs.

Baker appeared as a pinch-hitter in Sunday's game, but it's telling that he's sitting against the left-hander Clayton Kershaw on Monday. The struggling Carlos Pena will start at first base and bat seventh.

Jeff Baker returned to action on Sunday May 1.

Jeff Baker had to be lifted from Saturday's game because of shoulder soreness.

Baker reached base on an E-6 in the eighth inning but was pinch run for by Carlos Pena. Pena was scheduled to get the start at first base on Sunday anyway. Baker is considered day-to-day for now.

In his first start since Monday, Jeff Baker went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer and RBI single in Friday's win over the Brewers.

Baker now has seven hits in his first 15 at-bats this season, as he's making a case for more playing time. He's been sharing time at second base with Darwin Barney and Blake DeWitt so far but should get most of the starts against left-handed pitching.

Jeff Baker is starting at second base and hitting leadoff Saturday.

Cubs manager Mike Quade said he plans to platoon Baker and Darwin Barney at second base, and they've now each received a start in the first two games. Though it might seem a little odd at first glance that he's leading off, Baker has always hit lefties well, posting a .945 OPS against them last year and a .908 mark against them in his career. Paul Maholm gets the ball for the Pirates Saturday.

Cubs manager Mike Quade intends to platoon Darwin Barney and Jeff Baker at second base.

``They had great camps and deserve a chance to play,'' Quade said. Barney will get the start Opening Day and seems to be in line to get most of the playing time, but Baker will get his fair share of starts, as well. Blake DeWitt appears to be on the outside looking in, as he'll back up at second and third base.

Jeff Baker (hamstring) will start at second base and lead off Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Baker was sidelined over the weekend due to tightness in his left hamstring. The Cubs expect him to be ready for the start of the season, where he'll likely get semi-regular at-bats playing second base.

Jeff Baker (hamstring) expects to be ready for Opening Day.

Baker felt tightness in his left hamstring during a swing Friday and was scratched from Saturday's lineup. It sounds like it's just a mild strain, though. He'll be in the mix for playing time at second base when he's ready.

Jeff Baker (hamstring) has been scratched from Saturday's lineup.

Baker left Friday's game with the hamstring injury, so it's no surprise that he's not ready less than 24 hours later. It's not known how long he might be out, but this doesn't help him in his bid for playing time at second base.

Jeff Baker had to leave Friday's game due to tightness in his left hamstring.

No word yet on the severity of the injury. Baker is competing for playing time at second base, so any kind of setback hurts him. Darwin Barney has emerged as a darkhorse for the job.

Cubs and INF Jeff Baker avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.175 million contract.

An expected move. Baker, 29, batted .272/.326/.413 with four home runs and 21 RBI with the Cubs this past season while playing third base, second base, first base and even a little outfield. He'll continue in his utility role next season.

Jeff Baker returned to action on Monday September 27.

Jeff Baker was a late-scratch from Thursday's lineup against the Giants due to flu-like symptoms.

He'll probably be back within a day or two. With Baker out, Darwin Barney will fill in at second base.

Jeff Baker collected four hits, two runs scored, and two RBI in the Cubs' 13-3 blowout of the Marlins on Sunday.

Baker doubled twice and singled twice for his four hits and he also added a walk in the contest. Every position player that started scored at least once with the exception of third basemen Bobby Scales. Baker's hit .272 with four homers in 200 at-bats as a utility player this season and should be back with the Cubs in the same role next season.

Jeff Baker returned to action on Saturday September 4.

Jeff Baker was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to a sore left Achilles tendon.

He'll probably need a couple days to rest. As mentioned earlier, with Aramis Ramirez out of the lineup Wednesday, Darwin Barney will start at third base.

Jeff Baker returned to action on Sunday August 15.

Jeff Baker was originally in Friday's lineup but was scratched after he experienced back pain during pregame work.

Baker is considered day-to-day. With Aramis Ramirez expected to return to the lineup Saturday, Baker was slated to return to backup duty, anyway.

Aramis Ramirez's return from the disabled list may force Jeff Baker or Chad Tracy off the roster.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella plans to keep 12 pitchers, so barring someone going on the disabled list, one of them will probably have to go. Tracy is batting .227 (5-for-22) since being recalled from Triple-A Iowa when Ramirez went on the DL earlier this month. Baker, who is the more versatile of the two, is less likely to be given the boot.

Jeff Baker left Thursday's game with an ocular migraine, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.

Baker was originally expected to visit an eye specialist, but his vision was fine as of Friday morning. He shouldn't miss any significant time.