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Reds' Baker expected to return Monday

Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker will be back on the job Monday when the team opens the final series of the year in St. Louis.

"Dusty is doing well," acting manager Chris Speier said. "He sends his best. I think everybody has to understand I'm just following suit. It hasn't been easy to take over something when you've got the mainstay of your organization going through what he went through."

Baker missed his 11th game Sunday after being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat. He suffered a mini-stroke as he was being released from Chicago-area hospital.

The Reds have clinched the National League Central division title and with four games remaining they are one game behind the Washington Nationals for the best record in the NL.