John Baker out with a bruised hand

John Baker, with a whole lot of help, bruised his hand in the yesterday's first game.

Marlins catcher John Baker left Tuesday's first game after the sixth inning with a contusion on his left hand as a result of a nasty collision with Ryan Howard at first base.

Baker struck out on a wild pitch and beat the throw to first, but as he crossed the bag, the 6-foot-4, 259-pound Howard reached for the ball and inadvertently smacked Baker in the face with his glove hand. Baker threw up his left hand in defense.

Baker is listed as day-to-day.

Baker while not really young in baseball years, 28 years-old, is finally living his dream and if he says he good to go, I wouldn't trust that in the least.  There are only 10 games left in the regular season and there is no doubt he is going to do everything he can to be in the lineup, including lying through his teeth.

Baker's catching hand is the one that is injured and going down the stretch it is really important that whomever is catching be able to hold onto the ball.  If it is all works out properly, he shouldn't be out for very long and in the meantime Paulino can handle the pitchers with Hayes as the backup.  Yes, that is right, Brett Hayes is still on the team.