Cubs DFA Ransom, activate Baker

To make room for pitcher Scott Baker on the active roster, the Chicago Cubs have designated infielder Cody Ransom for assignment, the club announced.

#Cubs activate RHP Scott Baker from 60-day DL for today's start. INF Cody Ransom was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man.

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 8, 2013

Ransom was claimed by the Cubs off waivers on April 16th after spending the previous four months as a member of the San Diego Padres organization. The 37 year old journeyman has seen sporadic playing time for the Cubs and Padres this season, serving primarily as a utility infielder. In 62 games, Ransom has hit .189/.286/.420 with 9 home runs. In 2012, he set career highs with 11 home runs and a .722 OPS in 90 games for the Brewers and Diamondbacks. Ransom has played for 8 organizations since being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1998.

The Cubs signed Baker as a free agent last offseason to a contract worth up to $7 million. He has not played in the majors since 2011 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the Spring of 2012. The 31 year old free-agent-to-be has a career ERA of 4.15 in 958 big league innings, all with the Minnesota Twins. Baker made 8 rehab starts for the Cubs' minor league affiliates in Daytona and Kane County, putting up a 5.46 ERA in 29.2 innings before getting the call to start Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In 5 innings, Baker allowed just 3 batters to reach base, holding the Brewers scoreless until being relieved after only 55 pitches for precautionary reasons. After leaving with a 1-0 lead, the Cubs bullpen allowed 3 runs, to ultimately lose the ballgame by a score of 3-1.The next month will be crucial to Baker as he tries to prove that he is still a productive pitcher entering this Winter's thin free agent market.