Free agent Brandon Backe fully intends to pitch in 2011.

Backe was diagnosed with a partial thickness tear of his right rotator cuff in July of 2009 and has not pitched since. He registered a poor 6.05 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 31 starts back in 2008 -- his last full season. It's doubtful that he will be able to find anything more than a minor league deal.