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MLB: Season in doubt for Twins Closer Joe Nathan

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garn91

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2006
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Ouch. The AL Central looked to be competivie with the Twins, Tigers, and White Sox all expected to compete for the AL Central.

Nathan has 'significant' tear of elbow ligament; season in doubt | StarTribune.com

Closer Joe Nathan and the Twins were hit with the news this morning that he has a significant tear if the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his right elbow, a potentially devastating blow to a team looking to make an extended postseason run.

While surgery certainly looms as a possibility, Nathan will take two weeks to let the swelling in the area subside. He'll work with the trainers to strengthen the muscles around the elbow. And then he will try to pitch.

If that doesn't go well, Nathan will have surgery that will end his season.
Nathan had bone chips removed from his elbow during the offseason out of concerns that one of the chips could do damage to the ligament. He said early bullpen sessions went smoothly, and he headed to spring training optimistic that he was fully healed.

But he felt tightness and discomfort in his elbow while throwing a pitch on Saturday against Boston and was removed from the game. That's when the decision was made for him to return to the Twin Cities for further examinations.
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Beat me by a minute...sorry for posting another thread about this! Tough story! Didn't realize he was 35 until I read the article. Could be a career ender...
 
If any team can overcome and injury to a significant player, it's the Twins. Look who they lost last year and still made the playoffs.

They didn't have Morneau, Neshik, Crede, Perkins, plus a couple other pitchers I can't remember.
 
RayShimley said:
Damn that sucks, Nathan has been so reliable over the years. Twins fans, who is their potential closer in waiting?
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I would guess Matt Guerrier. he's been pretty solid in the 8th inning for a couple years now.

Jon Rauch is another guy from the pen that has closed a little before, and he certainly has the intimidation factor.

They may also trade for someone to bolster the pen now, Heath Bell is a name that comes up often.

One out of the box idea I had would be Francisco Liriano, if he struggles starting again early this year.
 
Why not give Liriano a chance. The dude is tough for a couple innings then seems to flake out.

Sometimes a change can really help the mental state of one's game.

Then again, do we want Liriano handling pressure of that kind?
 
A couple guys to keep in mind would be a couple guys from the minors. Delaney and Slama. They were pretty good last year, and I believe Slama was even a closer. I'd like to see him get a shot. I don't like the idea of Gurrier closing one bit. I think they need to trade for someone or possibly give Crain a shot.
 
kurimski said:
A couple guys to keep in mind would be a couple guys from the minors. Delaney and Slama. They were pretty good last year, and I believe Slama was even a closer. I'd like to see him get a shot. I don't like the idea of Gurrier closing one bit. I think they need to trade for someone or possibly give Crain a shot.
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It will be a long long year if Jesse Crain is closing, that is scary. (last year Crain's ERA was 4.70, Guerrier's was 2.36).

I also can't see Gardenhire ever letting a rookie close. I think the rookies will have a chance to pitch themselves into the bullpen, but I just don't see them closing.
 
bawbie said:
It will be a long long year if Jesse Crain is closing, that is scary. (last year Crain's ERA was 4.70, Guerrier's was 2.36).

I also can't see Gardenhire ever letting a rookie close. I think the rookies will have a chance to pitch themselves into the bullpen, but I just don't see them closing.
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Gardy would let a rookie close if we had a 3-4 run lead. Maybe over time, they would get comfortable. Sometimes rookies are better because they are numb to the pressure yet.
 
Not sure what Gardy will do here. I would guess it might be a "closer by committee" type thing, but who knows? Neshek was orginally thought to be the heir apparent to Nathan, but not sure how strong he will come back. Guerrier is pretty good.....not sure he has the mentality for a closer though. Rauch has done it before, but wasn't exactly dominant. Slama was pretty good at New Britain, but he only pitched in like 11 games at Rochester. Had 4 saves, but a 3.45 ERA. Don't think he is ready, plus no way Gardy would do that. Crain or Mijares......no way! Don't know much about Condrey.

Depending on how ST goes, the Twins may have to trade for some more relief help.

As a long-time Twins fan, I have to believe they will figure something out.
 
What about John Smoltz? Is he with any team this year? Might be a short term solution for just this year. Just a thought??
 
Dryburn said:
Not sure what Gardy will do here. I would guess it might be a "closer by committee" type thing, but who knows?
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Hopefully someone will step up. I think you have to have someone who knows that the ball is theirs to close, and it not be a guess for each game.

Interesting point from the Twins beat writer for the Star Tribune:

I don't think the Twins will go with a closer-by-committee. They had all kinds of trouble in 2008 when they tried a set-up man by committee, and Gardenhire regretted doing that. We'll be on the watch for any signals that point to whomever fills that role.
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Nathan out = 2010 AL Central Champions, the Chicago White Sox!!!

You can put it on the boooooooooooooooooooooooard, yes!!!!!!
 
geburgess said:
Nathan out = 2010 AL Central Champions, the Chicago White Sox!!!

You can put it on the boooooooooooooooooooooooard, yes!!!!!!
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The problem with your argument - the White Sox would have to be good to make that argument...
 
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