Minnesota Twins' Joe Nathan pitches against the Cleveland Indians in the ninth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, in Cleveland. Nathan retired the side in order for his 36th save and the Twins won 4-1. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Relief Ace Nathan Sidelined
innesota Twins All-Star closer Joe Nathan
has a torn ligament in his throwing elbow.
General Manager Bill Smith says the plan is to shut Nathan down
for two weeks, eliminate the soreness and build up the strength in
his elbow before making any decisions about surgery.
Nathan may get a second opinion Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon
who operated on his elbow last October to remove bone chips.
Nathan hurt his ulnar collateral ligament. Injuries to that
ligament have led to season-ending Tommy John surgery in other
pitchers.
Nathan flew back to Minneapolis Sunday after feeling soreness in
the elbow in Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Nathan was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA with a career-high 47 saves last
year.
