Crew claims Baker off waivers; roster set at 40

Oft-injured righty, 25, had Tommy John in 2015, threw 16 2/3 innings in '17

November 27th, 2017

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers claimed oft-injured right-hander off waivers from the Indians on Monday, pushing Milwaukee's 40-man roster to capacity.
Baker, 25, ranked as high as No. 14 on MLBPipeline.com's list of Cleveland's top prospects in 2014, but has been limited to 21 2/3 innings since. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015, missed all of 2016 and returned in 2017 with a 2.70 ERA and a 16-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16 2/3 innings between Rookie-level Arizona and Double-A Akron.
The Indians designated Baker for assignment last week to free 40-man roster space to protect prospects from the Rule 5 Draft. The Brewers added four prospects that day, but left one 40-man spot open to allow for a waiver claim.

Whether Baker sticks with the Brewers remains to be seen. In recent years, Milwaukee general manager David Stearns has made liberal use of the waiver wire to acquire talent, sometimes designating those players for assignment soon thereafter in an effort to get the player through waivers and into the Brewers' Minor League system. Last November, the Brewers plucked outfielder Adam Walker and relievers and Steve Geltz off the waiver wire, but wound up losing all three players.
Baker is the second outside addition for the Brewers this offseason. Earlier Monday, the team confirmed it had signed former A's reliever to a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training.