Scott Baker said Saturday that his right elbow felt "much better."

Baker, who had a setback a week ago, will be examined Sunday before the Cubs determine what the next course of action is. "It's hard not to feel OK about [the exam Sunday] because I am feeling much better," Baker said. "Obviously, we're doing something right as far as treatment, and the medications are obviously helping. And there's nothing wrong with taking it easy, either. With that combination, it feels a lot better, so we'll just see what the doc says."

Scott Baker (elbow) will be examined Saturday to determine how serious his setback is.

Baker has been shut down from throwing due to some soreness in his surgically-repaired right elbow. More should be known about his potential return date after Saturday's visit to the doctor.

Scott Baker (elbow) has been shut down from throwing.

Baker felt some soreness in his surgically-repaired right elbow after his Cactus League debut on Sunday and was diagnosed with inflammation following an MRI. The Cubs were hoping that he would be ready to join the rotation at some point in April, but his return date is officially up in the air.

Scott Baker woke up with elbow soreness Monday after his Cactus League debut and will undergo an MRI.

Baker had Tommy John surgery last year and the Cubs want to be sure that he didn't aggravate anything. The right-hander is currently aiming to join Chicago's starting rotation in mid-April, but that could change.

Scott Baker (elbow) made his Cactus League debut Sunday against the Athletics.

Baker didn't make it out of the first inning after giving up a three-run homer to Chris Young. It was his first start since 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. Baker is expected to begin the season on the disabled list, but could be ready to join the Cubs' rotation at some point in April.

Scott Baker (elbow) will make his first Cactus League start on Sunday.

It will be his first game action since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April. While Baker is expected to begin the season on the disabled list as he continues to build up his workload, he could be ready to join the Cubs' rotation at some point in April.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Scott Baker (elbow) "let it go" and "did fine" during his two-inning simulated game Thursday.

``He did fine,'' Sveum said. ``He let it go today a lot more and felt good, finished good. So it all went really well, especially that second inning when he cranked it up a little bit. He was probably 80 to 85 percent and still got to 87, 89 in the last inning.'' Sveum stressed that a big test will be how Baker feels Friday, since it's the first time since Tommy John surgery that he's pitched at almost normal velocity. It's possible he'll be ready for a minor league game soon, followed by Cactus League action.

Scott Baker (elbow) will throw a simulated game Thursday.

If all goes well, he'll test himself in a minor league game before progressing to Cactus League action. The 31-year-old right-hander will begin the season on the disabled list as he continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery, but he could be ready to join the Cubs' rotation at some point in April.

Scott Baker (elbow) threw his third live batting practice session on Monday in Cubs camp.

Baker told reporters that it went well and that he's aiming to throw a few simulated innings later this week. The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to join Chicago's starting rotation around mid-April. He is on his way back from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.

Scott Baker (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice again Friday and expects to move on to a simulated game early next week.

It's possible he'll be ready for game action not long after the simulated game. Baker, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, looks to be on track to only miss the first couple weeks of the 2013 season.

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.