Baker's Bench Bat Shouldn't Miss Time

Jeff Baker is a key part to the Texas Rangers' success this season after having a stellar spring and winning a job as a bench player who will see occasional time against left-handed pitching.

On Tuesday night, it was feared the Rangers might have been without him for a while after he suffered a knee injury when he crashed into the wall in foul territory in left field making a sliding catch of a Josh Hamilton foul ball. Turns out, though, Baker's knee seems to be OK and Rangers manager Ron Washington said he shouldn't miss much time.

"Right now there is no major damage," Washington told ESPN Dallas. "It may be a day or so, but he's fine."

In limited time this season, Baker is 5-for-15 with a homer and four RBIs and is a career .297 hitter against left-handed pitching, which is why he drew the start on Tuesday against Jason Vargas, leaving David Murphy on the bench until Baker's injury in the second inning.

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