The Twins want Scott Baker (elbow) to throw two bullpen sessions before throwing in a game.

Baker was originally scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday, but the Twins have pushed him back to Saturday. He's tentatively scheduled to throw another bullpen session Monday, which means the earliest he'll get back in a game is Thursday. The 30-year-old right-hander has recently dealt with a tender elbow, but the Twins have downplayed concerns.

Scott Baker (elbow) will long-toss Friday and throw a bullpen session Saturday.

He had been schedule for a bullpen session Friday, but the Twins will push it back a day. Baker has been dealing with some elbow soreness, but the Twins don't appear to be overly concerned at this point. We'll obviously know more once he's throwing from a mound again.

Scott Baker (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday.

The Twins backed off Baker in recent days due to elbow tenderness, but general manager Terry Ryan isn't concerned, at least publicly. We should know more about his status after he throws Friday.

Scott Baker confirmed that his elbow injury is a ''non-issue'' at this point in the offseason.

Baker threw a bullpen session on Friday and expects to participate in group workouts without limitations. ''It was a good and productive offseason. It was the reason why I chose to rehab for six weeks and to throw two or three innings (at the end of last season) so it would allow me to have a normal offseason as far as the progression to get ready for spring training,'' Baker said. "Everything went great. As far as I know, I'm starting just like anyone else would.''

Scott Baker said Friday that his elbow "feels great" and that he plans to throw off a mound 6-8 times prior to spring training.

Baker was limited to just 24 innings after the All-Star break last season due to a flexor muscle strain in his right elbow, but he went into the offseason healthy. The 30-year-old right-hander had a quality 3.01 ERA and 104/30 K/BB ratio over 110 2/3 innings during the first half of the season, so he'll likely enter 2012 as an undervalued commodity in mixed leagues.

Twins activated RHP Scott Baker from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected. Baker, 30, has a 3.21 ERA and 120/30 K/BB ratio in 131 2/3 innings over 21 starts this season. He is expected to pitch out of the bullpen down the stretch.

Scott Baker (elbow) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday.

He'll be used as a reliever down the stretch. Baker, who holds a 3.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 21 starts this season, has been out since early August with a flexor muscle strain in his right elbow.

Scott Baker (elbow) will throw another bullpen session Saturday before being re-evaluated.

Baker has been out since early August with a flexor muscle strain in his elbow, but he's been throwing for a while with no issues. If he comes through the bullpen session OK, he could be used as a reliever over the final weeks.

Scott Baker (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

Baker has been out since early August with a flexor muscle strain in his elbow. If he returns later this month, it will be as a reliever.

If Scott Baker (elbow) and Francisco Liriano (shoulder) return later this month, it will likely be in relief.

Baker in particular is coming along pretty well, but there's simply not enough time to get stretched back out to start. Feel free to go ahead and drop both pitchers if you had been hanging on to them hoping to get a few starts down the stretch.

Scott Baker (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Saturday and will throw another one Tuesday.

The right-hander has had a few pain-free sessions now and should be close to rejoining the Twins rotation. He might be an option to take the spot of Brian Duensing, who left Saturday's outing with a strained oblique. Baker has been sidelined since early August with a flexor muscle strain in his elbow.

Scott Baker (elbow) threw a 50-pitch bullpen session Friday and will throw another one Saturday.

Baker has been throwing for over a week now and appears to be progressing along pretty well. The Twins are hoping he'll be able to contribute over the final few weeks of the season.

Twins placed RHP Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list with a flexor muscle strain in his right elbow.

This is his second trip to the disabled list this season with the very same injury. Baker still has a very respectable 3.21 ERA and 1.19 WHIP on the year, but has pitched through discomfort in his last two starts. Not coincidentally, he has given up nine runs (eight earned) on 14 hits during that time.

Scott Baker (elbow) could be headed back to the disabled list.

Scott Baker indicated following Wednesday's start against the Angels that his surgically-repaired elbow isn't 100 percent.

"You either can pitch or you can't, and as of right now, I can pitch," said Baker. "I think if you asked anybody, nobody's perfect in here. Tonight, was just strictly poor performance." Baker allowed four runs (three earned) over a season-low four innings in a no-decision against the Angels on Wednesday night. He still has a 3.01 ERA across 20 starts this season, but we might see some inconsistency moving forward.

Scott Baker could make it just three innings on Wednesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk in the Twins' 11-4 victory in Anaheim.

Baker needed 78 pitches to record his nine outs. The outing was by far his shortest of the season. Now the owner of a 3.01 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 115/32 K/BB ratio in 125 2/3 innings of work, he'll get the Red Sox at home his next time out.

Scott Baker held the Rangers in check Thursday, limiting them to two runs on eight hits while striking out four over seven innings of work.

Another stellar effort from Baker, who has allowed just the two runs over his last four starts (though those first two came before he went on the disabled list). Unfortunately for him, Matt Harrison was just a little bit better. Baker has had a seemingly overlooked but fantastic season, as he holds a 2.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 113/31 K/BB ratio over 122 2/3 innings. He'll get the Angels the next time out.

Scott Baker will be allowed to throw 100 pitches in his next start.

Baker (elbow) came off the disabled list and threw five shutout innings on Saturday before being removed after 82 pitches. Now free from restrictions, Baker will be a recommended fantasy play going forward.

In his return from the disabled list, Scott Baker (elbow) tossed five shutout innings in a 4-1 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Baker was excellent, allowing just three hits -- all singles -- while fanning five and walking one. He was pulled after throwing 82 pitches, so it appears Twins manager Ron Gardenhire decided to play it safe. Baker is now 8-5 with a 2.88 ERA and 109/31 K/BB ratio over 115 2/3 innings this season. He should be owned in all fantasy leagues.

Twins activated RHP Scott Baker from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected, Baker will rejoin the Twins' starting rotation Saturday night against the Tigers. He hasn't pitched since July 5 due to a strained right elbow. The 29-year-old right-hander had a 3.01 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 104/30 K/BB ratio over 110 2/3 innings prior to the injury.