Baker Joins Isotopes

Catcher John Baker will join the Albuquerque Isotopes today, June 16 after being optioned by the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 15. In a corresponding move, catcher Dashenko Ricardo will join Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. 

Baker was claimed off of waivers by the Dodgers from the San Diego Padres on June 15th. In 16 games this year with the Padres, Baker batted .150 (6-for-40). He hit .231 (3-for-13) in four games with Triple-A Tucson. With San Diego, he tossed out five of 13 potential base stealers (38%).

The California native was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. He has played in the majors every season since 2008 making his Major League debut with the Florida Marlins on July 9, 2008. Overall, the 32-year-old is hitting .258 in 292 Major League games and has 14 home runs with 105 RBI. Baker has spent time with the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics organizations, including two seasons in Albuquerque with the Isotopes in 2007 and 2008. In those two seasons with the Topes, he hit .300 (139-for-463) with 29 doubles, 14 home runs and 72 RBI in 148 games.

Ricardo joins Rancho Cucamonga after making his Triple-A debut on June 12 with the Isotopes. The Dutchman played two games with Albuquerque drawing a walk in seven at bats. The 23-year-old backstop signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers on March 17 and was called up to Triple-A for the first time in his career on June 9.

The Isotopes and Redbirds take the field for game three of their series tonight at 6:05 PM MDT. Righty Red Patterson (3-1, 4.09) is making his fifth start of the season for Albuquerque against Boone Whiting of Memphis (4-1, 2.70). Boone Whiting (4-1, 2.70) of Memphis. Listen to all the action on 610 AM "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.