John Baker went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Nationals.

After starting the season 2-for-25 (.080), Baker has caught fire with five hits in his last seven at-bats. He performed well in part-time action before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and should continue contributing against right-handed pitchers going forward.

Padres acquired C John Baker from the Marlins for LHP Wade LeBlanc.

Baker, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, missed most of the 2011 season following Tommy John surgery, but batted .154 (2-for-13) after being activated from the disabled list in September. The 30-year-old backstop is a .271/.356/.401 career hitter in the big leagues and will likely serve as a left-handed hitting complement to the righty-hitting Nick Hundley.

John Baker says he's available to catch, but it's not clear if he'll get in any games before the end of the season.

Baker, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, was activated from the DL and has made seven pinch-hitting appearances since. "I'm available, hoping to play, ready to play, but I understand [Jon Buck] and [Brett Hayes] have been here the whole year," Baker said. Baker would like to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic this offseason in order to make up for lost time behind the plate.

Marlins activated C John Baker from the 60-day disabled list.

Baker underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery last September and has not played in a game this season. He will be eased back into action by the Marlins.

John Baker (elbow) hopes to resume a rehab assignment by the end of August.

Baker, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has been hitting and throwing for a while now. He's hoping to make it back to the Marlins in September to serve as the third catcher.

John Baker (elbow) plans to resume throwing this week.

Baker underwent Tommy John surgery last September and hit a setback in May while trying to begin a minor league rehab assignment. He'll be out until August.

Marlins placed C John Baker on the 60-day disabled list with an elbow injury.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Baker is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery and isn't yet ready to handle a regular workload behind the plate. Look for him sometime later in the season.

John Baker (elbow) is expected to be placed on the disabled list Wednesday.

The Marlins thought about carrying Baker as a left-handed bat off the bench, but he's still a bit limited after Tommy John surgery. He'll be back at some point later this season. In the meantime, Brett Hayes will serve as John Buck's backup.

John Baker (elbow) will DH on Friday.

It will be Baker's first live game since May 12 of last season. He has been recovering from Tommy John surgery for the last 10 months and is hoping to avoid beginning the 2011 season on the disabled list.

John Baker (elbow) is hoping to see some time at first base during spring training since he won't be allowed to do any catching.

It's not clear if the Marlins are willing to accommodate him. Baker, who did play a bit of first base in the minors, is coming back from Tommy John surgery and isn't likely to be ready to back up John Buck behind the plate until May. He's expected to be carried on the roster as a pinch-hitter, though.

The Marlins will carry John Baker (elbow) on the opening day roster even though he won't be ready to serve as the backup catcher until possibly May.

GM Michael Hill said the Marlins want to have Baker available as a left-handed bat off the bench until he's ready to throw in a game. He's been soft-tossing but has yet to amp it up yet. Brett Hayes will likely serve as the backup to John Buck until Baker is fully recovered.

John Baker (elbow) arrived early to spring camp.

Baker is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to be ready by Opening Day. But he's now soft tossing from 45 feet and hoping to use the Marlins' spring facilities to accelerate his rehab. The 30-year-old is likely to be placed on the disabled list before Opening Day.

John Baker (elbow) started a throwing program last week.

Baker underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last September. He might not be ready to handle the rigors behind the plate right away, but the Marlins may have him start the season as a left-handed bat of the bench.

John Baker could be used as a left-handed pinch-hitter next season as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Baker underwent the elbow reconstructive procedure in early September and probably won't be available to throw and catch until the later part of the 2011 season. "He may be full-go hitting (by the spring)," Marlins president Larry Beinfest said Friday. "Baker has been in the big leagues. He does have experience. And he knows how to deal with pitching in the National League."

John Baker (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Friday in Alabama.

The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews. Recovery time from Tommy John surgery is usually 12-18 months for a pitcher, but it can sometimes be less for position players. In turn, Baker is optimistic he'll be able to contribute next season. "There were even some rumblings of the words 'Spring Training,'" Baker wrote in a text message. That's nice to hear, but whatever the Marlins get from Baker next season can probably be considered a bonus.

John Baker will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday.

Baker had a meeting Thursday with Dr. James Andrews and tests revealed damage to the catcher's ulnar collateral ligament. He's likely to miss a majority of the 2011 season, if not all of it. The 29-year-old turned in a .218/.307/.282 line and four extra-base hits over 78 at-bats this season.

John Baker (elbow) is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Thursday.

Baker was pulled from a minor league rehab stint after he felt continued discomfort in the elbow. A visit to Dr. Andrews doesn't always result in surgery, but rest and rehab hasn't worked out very well for Baker thus far.

Joe Frisaro of MLB.com hears that John Baker (elbow) may need surgery.

Baker hasn't played in the majors since early May due to an injury to his right elbow. He tried to rehab it after a consult with Dr. James Andrews in June, however he is likely reconsidering that possibility after his elbow did not feel good during his first minor league rehab game Friday. Stay tuned.

John Baker (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with High-A Jupiter.

The catcher hasn't played in a game since early June, when he had to stop his first rehab attempt after experiencing a setback. Baker will catch five innings Friday, serve as the DH Saturday and catch nine innings Sunday. If he keeps progressing, he could be back with the Marlins in early September.

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said John Baker (elbow) is unlikely to return to the Marlins as he had hoped for the series with the Mets that begins Tuesday.

With Ronny Paulino's suspension, the Marlins would love to have Baker back in the lineup, but it appears he's simply not ready yet. Baker, who is out with a strained flexor tendon in his right elbow, has yet to resume a rehab assignment and it's not clear when he'll be back.