The Cubs’ offseason addition of Scott Baker — viewed at the time as a low-cost, potentially high-reward move — has hit a snag.

The right-hander’s recovery from Tommy John surgery was expected to be complete by mid-April, but that’s not going to happen now after the team shut him down indefinitely on Tuesday.

Baker made his first spring start Sunday and was simply molested. But the bigger worry was that his elbow was sore afterwards. He had an MRI that displayed possible problems — enough so that the team has scheduled a consultation with team doctor Stephen Gryzlo this weekend. Until we hear the results of that, there will be no timetable for Baker, but it’s clear he won’t be ready until at least May at this point.

If you’re drafting this week, you can’t take the risk, so take a pass on Baker.

Quick Hits

• If you’re seeking star power, you should head to Las Vegas for the 12th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational (April 4-7). Check out the lineup (besides host Jordan, of course): Jerry Rice, Jonathan Ogden, Josh Freeman, Marcus Allen, Roger Clemens, Wayne Gretzky, Ken Griffey, Jr., Penny Hardaway, Brett Hull, Toni Kukoc, Mario Lemieux, Greg Maddux, Jerome Bettis, Chris Chelios, Vince Coleman, Paul O’Neill and Ozzie Smith. Damn, that’s a lot of talent in one place.
• The Dominican Republic scored two runs in the bottom of the first Tuesday night and hung on for a 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the final of the World Baseball Classic. Kudos to Manager Tony Pena, whose squad finally managed to end Team Japan’s deathgrip on the tourney and prove Tim McLeod wrong at the same time (bonus points for that feat). Robinson Cano went crazy for the undefeated Dominicans, earning WBC MVP honours by batting .469 to help take the sting out of his ugly playoff performance last season.

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