Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Cubs are drawing interest in infielder Jeff Baker and outfielder Reed Johnson. Neither are impact players, but they could be useful right-handed bench pieces for a contender. Baker, 31, is hitting .295 with four home runs, 19 RBI and an .827 OPS in 44 games this season. Johnson, 35, is hitting .308/.357/.459 with three homers, 15 RBI and an .816 OPS in 69 games played.

Jeff Baker doubled home two runs in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Astros. The knock was Baker's only hit in three trips to the plate. Coming off a June where he hit .243/.256/.378 and made just 11 starts, Baker is a poor own in NL-only leagues.

Jeff Baker returned to action on Monday May 7.

Jeff Baker drew the start at first base Tuesday against lefty Chris Narveson, and Cubs manager Dale Sveum indicated that Baker could play there regularly against southpaws. "I'm going to get Baker in there as much as possible," Sveum said. "He swings the bat too good against left-handers to get him out of there. You try to get [Bryan] LaHair at-bats and get him accustomed, but [LaHair] didn't swing too well against left-handers in Spring Training. I've got to get Baker's bat in there as much as I possibly can." It's not a bad strategy given that Baker is a career .309/.360/.525 hitter against lefties. But, it hurts the sleeper appeal a bit of LaHair, who is off to a great start.

The Cubs and INF/OF Jeff Baker avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.375 million contract. Baker was arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter. The 30-year-old earned $1.175 million in 2011 while producing a .269/.302/.383 batting line to go along with three homers, 23 RBI and a .685 OPS. He'll function as a utility player again in 2012.

According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs have no plans to trade utility man Jeff Baker. Baker can play anywhere on the field and absolutely crushes left-handed pitching, but this is a very bizarre stance for a club so far out of contention, especially since Baker recently celebrated his 30th birthday. Of course, this could simply be a ploy by the Cubs to up Baker's trade value.

Jeff Baker returned to action on Thursday July 7.

Jeff Baker (back) remains day-to-day. Baker was pulled from Tuesday's game after experiencing muscle spasms in his lower back and was unable to participate in batting practice on Wednesday. He should avoid a stint on the 15-day disabled list.

Jeff Baker left Tuesday's game in the third inning with lower back spasms. It's not clear at this point how severe the ailment is. We'll update his condition when more is known. Blake DeWitt replaced Baker at second base.

Jeff Baker is expected to be a hot commodity at the trade deadline. As someone that can play five positions and is hitting .400/.418/.569 this season and .321/.370/.549 in his career against left-handed pitching, Baker could be a valuable addition to a contending team's bench. For what it's worth, Baker would like to remain in Chicago. "I know personally I want to stay here," he said. "I hope it is all just -rumors."