Twins general manager Terry Ryan confirmed Tuesday that the club "would like to keep" Scott Baker.

Baker is making his way back from Tommy John surgery in mid-April, so the Twins are expected to decline the $9.25 million option on his contract for 2013. However, there is mutual interest in him returning on a reduced, incentive-laden pact.

Scott Baker (elbow) has resumed a throwing program.

Baker is working his way back from mid-April Tommy John surgery, and there's a chance he could be cleared for spring training. The Twins have a $9.25 million option on Baker that they're expected to decline, but haven't ruled out bringing him back on a reduced, incentive-laden contract.

Updating a previous item, Scott Baker underwent Tommy John surgery Tuesday instead of just having a cleanup of the scar tissue in his flexor pronator as originally reported.

It's a significant difference, as Baker would likely have entered spring training healthy if he only had the flexor pronator cleaned out. Now, he'll almost surely be sidelined into the 2013 season. An MRI hadn't showed any damage to Baker's ulnar collateral ligament, but Dr. David Altcheck discovered damage while the righty was opened up and went ahead with the procedure.

Scott Baker underwent elbow surgery Tuesday.

The procedure was designed to repair Baker's injured right flexor pronator tendon and will end the 30-year-old right-hander's season before it could even begin. The Minnesota front office is sure to decline his $9.25 million club option for 2013.

Twins transferred RHP Scott Baker from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

Baker is set to undergo surgery Tuesday and begin a six month rehabilitation program after that. He'll miss the entire 2012 season and focus on getting back to full health by next spring. The move officially clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the recently-claimed Clete Thomas.

Scott Baker is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery Tuesday.

The Twins announced earlier this week that Baker needs surgery to repair his flexor pronator tendon. The rehab will take six months, so he will miss the entire 2012 season. His contract includes $9.25 million club option for 2013, but the Twins will almost certainly decline.

Scott Baker needs surgery to repair his flexor pronator tendon and is out for the 2012 season.

In other words, he needs a major elbow procedure. The rehab will take at least six months, meaning Baker won't throw a pitch in professional ball this summer and can only focus on getting back to full health by next spring. The 30-year-old posted a 3.14 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 134 2/3 innings last season. He carries a $9.25 million club option for 2013 that is sure to be declined.

The Twins are holding a press conference at 4 p.m. CT to discuss the status of Scott Baker.

Baker underwent an MRI last week on his elbow, and spent this week getting a second opinion on the results. It's quite possible that a surgery will be announced.

The Twins said Friday that an MRI on Scott Baker's right elbow looked very similar to his MRI from last July.

Baker was diagnosed with a mild flexor muscle strain last July, which limited to only 24 innings during the second half. While no new damage was found in the new MRI, he is scheduled to get a second opinion from Dr. David Altcheck next week. It appears unlikely that he'll return this month.

Scott Baker will undergo an MRI on his right elbow.

Baker left his Thursday rehab start after just 11 pitches, with Twins GM Terry Ryan saying the right-hander "just didn't feel right" and "couldn't seem to get loose." It doesn't sound like Baker had any pain, so it could just be a precautionary MRI, but it's hardly good news. Baker had been hoping to return in mid-April, but that looks doubtful now.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Scott Baker (elbow) exited a minor league rehab start on Thursday because he "just didn't feel right" and "couldn't seem to get loose."

Troubling news given that he dealt with elbow inflammation this spring was limited to just four starts and two relief appearances after the All-Star break last year due to a strained flexor muscle. "Baker just didn't feel right tonight," said Ryan. "He couldn't seem to get loose on the mound and instead of pushing the envelope, we decided we would go get him out of the game. We will evaluate him again tomorrow." Stay tuned for an update, but it looks like Liam Hendriks may keep his rotation spot for a while.

Scott Baker (elbow) left a minor league rehab start with High-A Fort Myers on Thursday with an apparent injury.

Baker left the game in the first inning after throwing just 11 pitches. We don't want to speculate on the exact nature of the injury, but the obvious concern is that he may have aggravated an elbow injury. Stay tuned for an update.

Twins placed RHP Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27, with elbow tendinitis.

Scott Baker indicated Friday that he's unlikely to be ready for his first scheduled start of the season on April 9.

"I'd love to start the home opener; it's just not wise," Baker said. The right-hander has made a couple appearances in minor league games over the last week and has said his elbow feels fine, but it appears the Twins will play it safe and DL him to start the season. They won't need a fifth starter until April 15, and Baker could be ready at that point.

Scott Baker was pounded for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings by the Rays on Monday.

Baker said afterwards that his elbow felt fine, but his velocity was down once again and he gave up two homers, one of them to light-hitting Elliot Johnson. A DL stint remains a possibility for the right-hander.

Scott Baker allowed one hit over two scoreless innings in a minor league game Thursday.

Baker threw 16 out of 23 pitches for strikes while fanning two and walking none. He topped out at 88 mph, but mostly sat in the 83-86 mph range. In other words, he's not anywhere close to ready. The Twins don't need a fifth start for the first time until April 15, so it's increasingly likely that he begins the season on the disabled list.

Scott Baker (elbow) is scheduled to pitch in a minor league exhibition game Thursday.

Baker was recently shut down due to elbow tendinitis, but he made it through a 47-pitch bullpen session Monday morning with no issues. While he's making progress, it's possible that he'll begin the season on the disabled list. Liam Hendriks is an option for the rotation if the Twins decide to give him extra prep time.

Scott Baker (elbow) threw a 47-pitch bullpen session Monday morning in Twins camp.

Baker reported no issues with his tender right elbow during or after the workout. If he wakes up feeling fine on Tuesday, the Twins are likely to schedule him to appear in a minor league exhibition game Thursday.

Scott Baker (elbow) threw a 37-pitch bullpen session Saturday at about 70-80 percent effort.

Baker reportedly ''looked good'' and ''could have went max effort.'' If he can get through a second bullpen session Monday, he could be on his way to returning to game action. It's not unrealistic to Baker will start the season on the disabled list.

Scott Baker (elbow) acknowledged Friday that he could begin the season on the disabled list.

Baker recently came down with elbow tendinitis and while he's downplaying the situation, he may not have enough time to be stretched out for the start of the season. The Twins want him to throw bullpen sessions on Saturday and Monday, so the soonest he could get in a game is next Thursday. However, this gives him little time to get ready for his projected start in the home opener on April 9. The Twins won't need a fifth starter until April 15, anyway, so the extra prep time could prove beneficial.