Scott Baker Undergoes Surprise Tommy John Surgery

Scott Baker was already having season-ending elbow surgery. For the 2012 Minnesota Twins, he was a non-factor. Upon opening Baker's elbow up, though, the surgeon decided to jeopardize the beginning of Baker's 2013 as well. Not because the surgeon is a complete prick. Because the surgeon saw Baker's UCL and was like, no, that's not right. What I'm trying to say is that Scott Baker had surprise Tommy John surgery. La Velle Neal:

In a stunning turn of events on Tuesday, Twins righthander Scott Baker went in to have surgery on his flexor pronator tendon but exited with Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.

Baker was supposed to have surgery on the flexor tendon. An MRI taken late in spring training showed that the ulnar collateral ligament - the one that is replaced during Tommy John surgery - was sound. But Twins spokesperson Dustin Morse said that when surgeon Dr. David Altcheck opened up the elbow and took a look, he decided to repair the ligament.

Even with Tommy John surgery practically becoming a routine procedure, this is still a big deal. Baker might never make it all the way back, and even if he does make it all the way back, he's probably out for at least the beginning of 2013.

The Twins hold a $9.25 million 2013 option, but you have to figure that's not being picked up. Baker could be on the way to becoming a very interesting free agent. Or he could be on the way to re-signing with the Twins for 2013 with a low base salary and lots of incentives. We'll see what Baker's future holds. What matters now is that his present didn't hold what people thought his present held. I guess that's what you get for making assumptions. You get Tommy John surgery for making assumptions.

Scott Baker Injury: Twins Starter Out For Season With Elbow Surgery

Scott Baker is a seven-year major-league veteran who has started 159 of the 163 games he's appeared in. He's also thrown 200 innings in a season just once, in 2009 when he threw exactly 200 innings. That's a pretty good indication that a pitcher can't stay healthy, and after missing most of the Grapefruit League, Baker will not play in 2012 after undergoing surgery on his right elbow.

Scott Baker to undergo surgery on right elbow to fix flexor pronator tendon. Six months for rehab. Out for year. #Twins.

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 11, 2012

Baker struggled with a similar injury last year, and isn't having his UCL repaired, so this isn't Tommy John surgery. But the surgery will knock him out for the season. He is scheduled to be a free agent after the season, so this is possibly the end of his Minnesota Twins career.

Liam Hendriks was Baker's replacement out of spring training, and he'll likely stay in the rotation.

Scott Baker Getting Elbow Checked Out

Scott Baker is an important starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins. He's also having an MRI on his elbow because of continued discomfort, which can't be a good sign.