Joe Nathan News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

With Texas, closer Joe Nathan will be less of a nemesis

January 5

Detroit Free Press

"In his seven-year career with the Twins, Joe Nathan had 33 save opportunities against the Tigers. He converted all 33. Never in those seven years did the Tigers erase a ninth-inning deficit against Nathan. The Tigers beat Nathan once. It happened in 2007, when he entered a tied game. In the 10th inning that day in the Metrodome, Brandon Inge doubled in the winning run off him. Nathan has been one of two American League relievers in the past decade whose entry into the game with a lead has represented "Good night, Detroit." The other is Mariano Rivera, who last blew a save against the Tigers in 1999"

Joe Nathan deal a 'no-brainer'; Feliz wasn't mentally prepared for another year as closer

November 29

Dallas Morning News

columnist David Moore

"On the Joe Nathan deal: Moore: I think it's a great move for them. I think he pitched well enough and you saw a large enough sample at the end of this past season to feel that he's gotten past any injury concerns. And I think it also ducktails into Feliz. I'm not sure that you can go into another season with him in the same role. I think you saw him balk at it a little bit this year. I don't think, mentally, he was prepared to go into another season as the closer. I think maybe you saw some backlash from that as the season went on. So I think it's timing with him – get Nathan in here, who's a quality guy, a quality reliever. And let's face it, it gives you a little bit of leverage in"

Joe Nathan on why he chose Rangers, why his offspeed pitches are better than ever

November 23

Dallas Morning News

"On why he chose the Rangers: I think it's pretty obvious what this club has been able to do the last couple of years, so the question probably was, why me for these guys? So once the interest was there on their part, we knew we were interested in coming here. I was just excited when we got the chance to sit down and talk with Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan and Thad Levine and Don Welke. And when we finally found out that they had interest in us, our focus definitely turned on trying to get something done here and work something out so we could be a Ranger for 2012. On how this deal was so well hidden: I think that just speaks for how my agents, Dave Pepe and Billy Martin, and the Rangers work."

Jonathon Broxton, Brad Lidge and Joe Nathan may be able to revive careers with bargain-hunting NY Mets

November 11

New York Daily News

"We know what the Mets are seeking on the free agent market this winter: An affordable closer. We also know that Brad Lidge, Jonathan Broxton and Joe Nathan are available former All-Star closers. So what do those pitchers want? According to Broxton's agent, B.B. Abbott, the former Dodger is amenable to an incentive-laden one year-contract, perhaps with a vesting option for 2013. He wants to reestablish himself as an elite reliever, but does not need to become a closer immediat ely. "He's not only looking for a closing job, or the chance to compete for a closing job," said Abbott, who has not heard from the Mets. "He does want to close in the future." Broxton, 27, had 36 saves in 2009, but"

Closer Joe Nathan shows interest in playing for NY Mets

October 30

New York Daily News

"The dedication ceremony for Stony Brook's new baseball stadium yesterday culminated with big-league closer Joe Nathan throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. It's not a reach to envision that the next real pitch he throws will be in a Mets uniform. "The Mets are a team on our radar for sure, but until we talk with them we can't be sure how well we fit," Nathan said Saturday in an exclusive interview with the Daily News. "I know what playing in New York is about and I know how passionate the fans are about the teams they like. ... I was a Met fan growing up and my friends from the area are giving me pressure to give them strong consideration." Mets general manager Sandy Alderson identified"

Free agent Joe Nathan wants to sign with a winner

October 27

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Twins told Joe Nathan they couldn't justify a $12.5 million salary for him in 2012. So who will be the Twins' closer next season? "Obviously, (Glen) Perkins is going to be a candidate," said Nathan, 36, who will receive a $2 million buyout and soon head for the open market. "I'm sure (the Twins) will be looking around the free-agent market as well. That's something they're probably looking to save some money on, as much as (I) would have cost." During his eight seasons with the Twins, Nathan earned $53.3 million. "I think I'm in a situation now where, (although) the money is important, for me, ultimately it's about winning, trying to help a club out that's going to make it to the"

Should Phillies target Joe Nathan?

October 27

CSN Philly

columnist John Gonzalez

"Ruben Amaro was pretty blunt about it. If the Phillies and Ryan Madson can't agree on a new deal, the general manager said he'll likely look outside the organization to find a closer since he isn't "comfortable" with the team's internal options. If Madson walks, one of the names mentioned by various hardball heads as a potential replacement is Twins closer Joe Nathan. On Tuesday, Minnesota decided to buy out Nathan for $2 million rather than pay the $12.5 million he would have been owed next season. In the same way the Phillies might try to re-sign Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge for less money after buying them out of their respective contracts, it's been reported that the Twins want to retain"

Twins decline option on closer Joe Nathan, but still want him

October 26

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Twins on Tuesday declined to pick up a $12.5 million team option on Joe Nathan, but general manager Bill Smith said the team still thinks the right-hander can be Minnesota's closer in 2012. "Joe Nathan wants to be a closer, and is a closer," Smith said. "Obviously if we've expressed our interest in him returning, it's to be the closer for this season." Nathan, 37 next month, gets a $2 million buyout and unrestricted free agency. He could not be reached for comment. "I expect him to test the free agent market and see what it offers," Smith said. "We're all on good terms; we have good relations with Joe and his agent. He's been a tremendous contributor to this organization. We had to"

Twins end Nathan era -- for now

October 26

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Twins cut ties with four-time All-Star closer Joe Nathan at least temporarily on Tuesday, declining his $12.5 million option for next year, choosing instead to pay him a $2 million buyout. It was an expected move that makes Nathan a free agent, just like Matt Capps, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. All four are expected to test the market this fall, but general manager Bill Smith told Nathan on Tuesday that the Twins still have interest in re-signing him. "This didn't come as a surprise," Nathan said. "Now that we're here, we're excited about free agency. "Obviously the Twins have given me a wonderful opportunity, and this doesn't mean the talks are dead, but I'm definitely going to"

Twins' decision on Joe Nathan nears

October 21

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"With just 10 days left for the Minnesota Twins to pick up the $12.5 million option for 2012 on Joe Nathan's contract, the 36-year-old closer said Thursday he hasn't heard anything from the club. Nathan, who turns 37 next month, had 14 saves for the 99-loss Twins this season after recovering from ligament replacement surgery in 2010. Initially it was thought that teams have five days after the end of the World Series to exercise contract options, but Nathan said baseball's current labor deal makes the deadline three days. "There are a lot of decisions for (the Twins) to make, so for us it's about the waiting game," Nathan said from his home in Knoxville, Tenn. "When they decide, we'll go"

Twins closer Joe Nathan keeping all his options open for next season

September 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Being a member of the Minnesota Twins is important to Joe Nathan. The organization made him a closer after acquiring him from San Francisco after the 2003 season, and he has thrived in the role, becoming the franchise saves leader this season with 259. But also important to Nathan is winning, and if the Twins don't pick up his $12.5 million option, there is a good chance he'll finish his career elsewhere. Nathan, 36, has never been an unrestricted free agent, which he'll become if the Twins exercise the $2 million buyout on that option, part of a four-year, $47 million deal signed in March 2008. Because Nathan will be 37 in November and has yet to fully recover from Tommy John surgery"

Nathan's moment worth saving

August 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins closer Joe Nathan watched his final pitch Wednesday get hit to Tsuyoshi Nishioka. The shortstop threw to first baseman Michael Cuddyer to wrap up a 5-2 victory over Boston, and Nathan pumped a fist, then clasped his hands over his mouth. It took a long time -- seven-plus seasons and one threatening elbow injury -- for Nathan to get to that point. But he made it. The 255th save of his Twins career put him alone atop the franchise leaders, breaking the tie he shared with Rick Aguilera since July 26. "With the surgery and the bumps in the road, it made it mean even more for me to be able to come back and accomplish this," said Nathan, who missed all of last season because of Tommy John"

Joe Nathan sets club saves record as Minnesota ends six-game skid

August 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Nick Blackburn scattered six hits and struck out four in 6-2/3 innings, and Joe Nathan became the Twins' all-time saves leader as Minnesota snapped a six-game losing streak in front of 40,491 at Target Field. Jim Thome drove in two runs, including the go-ahead run in the eighth, when the Twins broke open a 2-2 game."

Joe Nathan becomes the king of Twins closers

August 11

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan was happy just to be joining a good, young team when he was traded to Minnesota before the 2004 season. Becoming the closer was not really on his mind. "(Eddie) Guardado and (LaTroy) Hawkins were still a part of this team, so I thought I was joining an already very good bullpen and just making them deeper," Nathan said. "I just figured I'd be a seventh- or eighth-inning guy." In hindsight, it's hard to believe. Nathan became the Twins' all-time saves leader Wednesday night, locking down a 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox with a 1-2-3 ninth inning that moved him past Rick Aguliera with 255 saves in a Minnesota uniform. "Obviously it's an honor to pass such a great pitcher in"

Joe Nathan unsure if Twins want him back in 2012

August 10

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan said he hasn't heard "one way or the other" about a contract extension. And that apparently doesn't surprise the 36-year-old Minnesota Twins' closer. "I understand both sides of it," Nathan said Monday. "It doesn't concern me. The only thing I really can do is keep going out and performing, showing them that I'm healthy, that I'm getting stronger. From there, I think, things will fall in place." Nathan is in the final season of a $47 million, four-year contract. He is being paid $11.25 million this season. If the Twins don't pick up a one-year option for $12.5 million next season, he'll receive a $2 million buyout. Nathan, who had ligament replacement surgery in March 2010, has"

Joe Nathan on threshold of Minnesota Twins record for saves

July 28

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"If there were any lingering doubts Twins closer Joe Nathan could return to all-star form, he eradicated them with his shutdown performance Tuesday night against an explosive Texas Rangers lineup, just in time to clear space in the record book. Nathan's next save will be his 255th as a Twin, which would move him past Rick Aguilera for most in team history. Catching Aguilera was a daunting task. Inheriting a 9-8 lead after the Twins rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth, Nathan needed to get three outs against the Nos. 3-7 hitters. He allowed a leadoff single to Josh Hamilton, induced Michael Young to ground out, then hit Nelson Cruz with a pitch, putting two runners aboard. Nathan"

Twins battle back; Nathan makes it stand

July 27

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had a thin bullpen to work with Tuesday night. But if the game was close in the late innings, he had Matt Capps, Glen Perkins and Joe Nathan ready to go. Capps and Perkins combined for two scoreless innings as the Twins battled from four runs down to take a one-run lead in the ninth. Nathan was on the mound in the bottom of the inning against the middle of the Rangers order. Five batters later, Nathan finished off a 9-8 victory and showed more flashes of the closer who dominated hitters before elbow surgery knocked him out of the 2010 season. And he tied Rick Aguilera as the Twins' all-time saves leader with 254. "Joe Nathan tying Aggie for saves. A huge feat,""

Joe Nathan begins second stint as Twins' closer with a save

July 17

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Less than 24 hours after being informed he is, once again, the Twins' closer, Joe Nathan closed down a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night at Target Field. And though he now has pitched on consecutive days for just the second time this season, he said he's ready to do it again this afternoon. "We had a talk today, and I think they're comfortable with back-to-back-to-back," Nathan said of his discussion with the Twins' coaching staff. "After that, it might be a little bit of an adjustment from there. But I think three in a row is definitely comfortable for them, as it is for me." Nathan retired three of the four hitters he faced on two pop ups and a lazy fly ball to"

Joe Nathan in, Matt Capps out as Twins closer

July 17

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"In this All-Star moment, Michael Cuddyer won. A week and a half after popping out in his only at-bat in the showcase in Phoenix, the hot-hitting Cuddyer faced another All-Star, Royals reliever Aaron Crow, and showed just why he deserved the honor. With the score tied in the eighth inning, Cuddyer poked a 1-2 breaking ball into center to score Alexi Casilla for the eventual game-winner. Unlike the previous night, when Matt Capps blew a 1-0 lead in the ninth, Joe Nathan -- in his first day back in the closer role -- got the job done, allowing one hit sandwiched between three pop flies, in the Twins' 4-3 victory. "It's still the same job," said Nathan, "but the stuff going on outside of the"

Nathan big part of Twins' turnaround

July 11

Minneapolis Star Tribune

columnist Sid Hartman

"The Twins had a record of 17-37 and were 16 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland through the games of June 1. But they have made a great surge since then, going 24-11 and are only 6 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit at the All-Star break. One person who has helped the turnaround is veteran reliever Joe Nathan. Since coming off the disabled list June 23, Nathan has allowed only one run, three hits and no walks while striking out six for a great 1.42 ERA. Compare that record with what Nathan did before he went on the disabled list, when he posted a 7.63 ERA while allowing 17 hits and 13 earned runs in 151/3 innings, and it's easy to see that the time away was very beneficial to his"

Joe Nathan 'turning the corner'

July 6

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Charley Walters

"In his last three appearances, Joe Nathan has not allowed a hit or run or walk while striking out four. "I'm starting to trust my fastball a little more," the Minnesota Twins reliever said. "I feel I've got more 'finish' on my pitches now. So we're turning the corner." Nathan, 36, missed last season rehabbing from ligament replacement surgery. His fastball is reaching 94-mph. "The more you throw heaters and locate heaters, it makes your breaking ball a lot more effective," he said. "I feel comfortable with my fastball, and my breaking pitches are starting to be down more often than not. "Earlier this year, (the breaking ball) was kind of just a flat, spinning slider. I think now that I'm"

Nathan takes challenge and runs with it

June 29

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"With the Twins riding a six-game losing streak and coming off a 15-0 loss, manager Ron Gardenhire knew how much was at stake Tuesday night when he turned a two-run lead over to Joe Nathan in the eighth inning. The Dodgers had a runner on first, no outs, and National League triple crown candidate Matt Kemp at the plate. Nathan had a 7.71 ERA and hadn't been in a situation this stressful since late May, before he went on the disabled list because of a strained flexor muscle in his surgically repaired right elbow. "We had used up pretty much our whole bullpen [Monday]," Gardenhire said. "It was just going to be on Nathan's shoulders to get it done." Nathan welcomed the challenge, delivering a"

Thome, Nathan to return Friday

June 23

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The Twins will be closer to full strength by Friday, when designated hitter Jim Thome and reliever Joe Nathan re-join the team in time for a weekend series in Milwaukee. Thome took five at-bats Wednesday during a simulated game in Fort Myers, Fla. Thome, who has been slowed by back and quadriceps problems and recently received an epidural injection, will meet the team in Milwaukee for the series against the Brewers. "That's great to have him [to] come off the bench,'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. Nathan, who landed on the disabled list because of soreness in his surgically repaired elbow, started for Class AAA Rochester against Charlotte on Wednesday, giving up an unearned run on one"

Joe Nathan might rejoin Twins on Friday

June 20

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Piece by piece the Twins are hoping to continue filling out their big-league roster, and Joe Nathan should be the next player to return. Nathan pitched a scoreless inning for Class AAA Rochester on Saturday and is scheduled to throw again Tuesday and Wednesday for the Red Wings. If that goes well, manager Ron Gardenhire said, Nathan could rejoin the team Friday in Milwaukee. What version of Nathan the Twins get back from the disabled list, where the right- hander has been since May 28 because of a flexor muscle strain in his pitching arm, remains to be seen. Nathan left for Fort Myers, Fla., last week happier and more excited than he'd seemed in weeks about his surgically repaired right"

Joe Nathan given time on disabled list to rehab his shoulder

May 29

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan wants his fastball back, but he's going to have go back to basics to find it. Working his way back from ligament reconstruction surgery performed 14 months ago, Nathan is headed to the disabled list because of a tender elbow. A magnetic resonance imaging taken Saturday revealed inflammation in the elbow and was sent to the doctor who performed Nathan's surgery, Dr. David Altchek. "We just want to make sure there is nothing we might have missed," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's the next step. It's the right thing to do." Nathan said his recovery had reached a standstill. In fact, he added, pitching in games probably was being impeding it because what's really holding him"

Nathan is latest Twins reliever to hit DL

May 29

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Nathan put everything he had into rehabilitation following Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in March of 2010 to be ready for the start of the 2011 season. And he accomplished that. Yet he hasn't been the pitcher he wants to be -- or the Twins need -- posting a 7.63 ERA with opponents batting .353 off him. Now with his elbow hurting, Nathan is headed to the 15-day disabled list to work the inflammation out of the area and hopefully return a better pitcher. "You never want to have a setback to put you on the DL," he said. "This is a situation where we want to take care of this thing and kind of gradually get better as the season goes on." "And doing what I'm doing now, it's"

Francisco Liriano will miss Saturday's start, and Joe Nathan and Jim Thome are ailing again.

May 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"After another horrendous bullpen collapse by the Twins in Friday night's 6-5 loss to the Angels, there was more deflating injury news at Target Field. Francisco Liriano has been scratched from Saturday's start because of a sore left shoulder. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he hopes Liriano misses only one start. Righthander Anthony Swarzak will take his turn against the Angels. Joe Nathan was unavailable to pitch Friday because of a tender right elbow. Gardenhire said if Nathan doesn't feel well enough to pitch Saturday, the Twins might need to place him on the disabled list. Jim Thome left Friday's game because of soreness in his right shoulder, and the Twins were contemplating a cortisone"

Joe Nathan settles into a setup role

May 15

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan's time of uncertainty has run out, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. The right-hander has been pitching in a variety of situations since removing himself from the closer role in search of less pressure-packed situations in which to pitch, but Gardenhire said the plan now is to split the setup duties between Nathan and left-hander Glen Perkins. The Twins are still wary of using Nathan on back-to-back days, so that will come into play when Gardenhire is making eighth-inning decisions, but the manager was encouraged by what he saw from Nathan on Friday night and hopes it was a sign of what's to come. Nathan gave up a home run to Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista and needed 33"

Joe Nathan flashes old form in ninth

April 24

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"With a seven-run lead against Cleveland in the ninth inning Saturday, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire gave Joe Nathan a closing opportunity — and Nathan responded as if he had a point to prove. Nathan, demoted from the Twins' closer role during last week's four-game series in Baltimore, retired the Indians in order in the ninth on 13 pitches to cap an impressive 10-3 victory at Target Field. Travis Hafner opened the inning with a pop up to second baseman Michael Cuddyer, and Orlando Cabrera and Michael Brantley struck out swinging. Despite Nathan's sharp performance, Gardenhire wasn't ready to make Nathan the team's top closer again, a role currently filled by Matt Capps. "Maybe there's"

Joe Nathan might see some setup duty for Twins after all

April 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"With Jeff Manship dispatched to Rochester and Kevin Slowey on the disabled list, manager Ron Gardenhire had no clear answer for long relief in the Twins' bullpen. He says he will continue to use former starter Glen Perkins in late-inning situations, and that led the Twins to send Alex Burnett back to Rochester after Monday's game and call up right-hander Eric Hacker to take over long-relief duties. For now, Gardenhire's bullpen roles beyond Matt Capps as closer are unsettled, and the manager said he'll bridge the gap from starter to Capps based on matchups. When discussing Joe Nathan's move out of the closer role Sunday, Gardenhire said he wanted to keep Nathan out of setup situations as"

Capps takes over as closer after Nathan's shaky stretch

April 18

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"After blowing two saves during a four-game weekend series against Tampa Bay, Joe Nathan realized he was hurting the Twins and agreed to step away from the closer's job for now. "I feel like my consistency right now just isn't where I need it to be,'' he said. "Until I start getting that back -- and I know I will at some time -- I don't want to put this team at any risk and cost them ballgames right now. "We're all scuffling right now. The games that we do have, I'd like to get those taken care of and finished up." Nathan approached manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson after Saturday's 4-3 loss in which he gave up a tying homer to Ben Zobrist and then walked two batters."

Report: Joe Nathan out, Matt Capps in as Twins closer

April 17

ESPN.com

"The Minnesota Twins are moving Joe Nathan into a setup role after the closer blew his second save in three games Saturday night. Nathan will be replaced by Matt Capps, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported Sunday morning. Nathan, who didn't pitch last season after undergoing right elbow ligament replacement surgery, has an 8.44 ERA in 5 1/3 innings for the Twins (4-10), who have lost four straight and six of seven. "I think everything, physically, how I feel, is fine," Nathan said Saturday night. "I'm still going through that process. Trying to get this thing back to where I'd like it. But there's inconsistencies. There's outings I go out and it comes out of my hand pretty good. Then"

Joe Nathan encouraged but still cautious after strong start to season

April 12

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"A day after Joe Nathan's first save at Target Field, the right-hander was warming up Saturday in the bullpen, ready to go if the Twins were able to rally from a one-run deficit against the Oakland A's. The Twins wound up losing 1-0, but Nathan's appearance behind the center-field fence raised more than a few eyebrows. Was he really ready to pitch on back-to-back days? "Absolutely," he said Sunday. Yes, Nathan's recovery from Tommy John surgery has gone better than maybe anyone but he had expected. A little more than a year since having the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow reconstructed, he has three saves in three opportunities. Still, the Twins are hesitant to declare their"

Joe Nathan survives a tense ninth for his first save and the Twins' first victory

April 4

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Finally, after 540 days of waiting, there was Joe Nathan, emerging from the bullpen, jogging to the mound, his arm at last healthy and a game at last to save. His demeanor was the same, all twitches and jerks and giant exhales. His pitches, he admits, were not. Nathan earned his first save since Oct. 3, 2009, in the Twins' 4-3 victory Sunday over the Blue Jays. It did not come easily, but what about the long, grueling recovery from Tommy John surgery is? Nathan used to dominate hitters with a mid-90s mph fastball along with a sinker, slider and curve. This Nathan, the one still searching for his pitches and his former self, had a fastball that topped out at 92 and a slider still not what"

What a huge relief for Twins, Joe Nathan

April 4

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Nathan made it, just barely, but he made it. Bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth — Nathan's first appearance since October 2009 — and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire nearly replaced him with lefthander Dusty Hughes. "We're going to protect [Nathan]," Gardenhire said following Sunday's 4-3 victory over Toronto. "He was close to coming out of that game." One year and nine days removed from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery, Nathan had just thrown his 30th pitch, walking last year's home run king, Jose Bautista, to load the bases. Gardenhire had Hughes warming specifically to face Adam Lind, a lefty who was on deck when Bautista drew his walk. "[Nathan] had 30-plus pitches,"

Morneau will be in Opening Day lineup; Gardenhire gives plan for Nathan

March 31

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Justin Morneau will be in the Twins lineup, playing first base and batting cleanup, when they open their season on Friday night against the Blue Jays, Manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed Thursday. Gardenhire said he spoke to Morneau on Wednesday about playing a few days, seeing how he's doing and giving him a break "here and there early in the season." Morneau hasn't played in a regular season game since July 7, when he suffered a concussion here in Toronto. "I sat him down in my office, and I said, 'Are you ready to do this?' And he said, he's ready to do it," Gardenhire said, during a conference call with reporters. Gardenhire also has spoken to Joe Nathan and Matt Capps about the closer's"

Joe Nathan appears set to resume his closer's role

March 28

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins relievers have heard the talk and fielded the questions about turnover in the bullpen since the end of last season. It has simplified their goal for 2011: To prove that change can be good. Or, in the Twins' case, that new faces can at least produce similar results. "I think that bullpens aren't bought, they are made," Twins lefthander Glen Perkins said. "You put a group of guys together and it's almost like a team within a team. "The feeling I've gotten in a limited amount of time is you got your small group of guys -- you all are pulling for the team but you are pulling for each other as well -- and I think the guys we're going to have down there ... I think we'll all mesh together"

Twins play wait and see with Nathan

March 26

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Nathan is not the first pitcher to enter the final stages of spring training still searching for his killer slider. Experts say that pitch usually comes around as a pitcher's arm strength improves in camp and as the ball begins to come out of the hand free and easy. Nathan, however, would make it easier on everyone if he can get that pitch working right. For a variety of reasons: • Saturday is the one-year anniversary of the Twins reliever's Tommy John surgery, and he is trying to prove he can return to what he used to be."

Nathan, still recovering from Tommy John surgery, says arm feels 'good enough'

March 26

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Don't be misled when Joe Nathan and the Twins talk about how well he is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Exactly one year after having the ligament in his right elbow surgically reconstructed, the franchise saves leader is getting a little better all the time. But he's not flipping cartwheels or arm-wrestling grizzly bears. "When I say I'm feeling good, it doesn't mean I'm feeling great," Nathan said Friday. "It means I'm feeling good enough to go out there and pitch, which is a good feeling." And right now, it's good enough for the Twins, who are debating whether to return Nathan to the role that has earned him 246 saves and helped the Twins win four American League Central titles."

Nathan still finding his way

March 25

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Nathan had his second rocky outing of the spring Thursday, as the Twins continued to wait to name their Opening Day closer. Nathan, who missed last season because of reconstructive elbow surgery, allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in the Twins' 7-3 victory over the Phillies. "Facing hitters he doesn't know, all those things -- I'm not worried about that stuff," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I just want to see his arm, and the velocity and everything's good." Nathan, whose Grapefruit League ERA is 11.05, opened with four scoreless appearances before giving up six runs against Philadelphia on March 13. He bounced back with three scoreless outings, including a six-up, six-down"

Joe Nathan unfazed by rocky outing

March 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan's smooth spring training hit a six-run snag Sunday afternoon in the Twins' 6-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Hammond Stadium. The right-handed reliever managed only one out, but in fairness he wasn't the only one who had difficulty getting through the inning. Center fielder Ben Revere lost a fly ball in the sun that landed for a double; second baseman Matt Tolbert was out of position — manager Ron Gardenhire said — to field a bunt, turning another would-be out into a single; and Delmon Young dropped a fly ball in foul territory. These were the first runs Nathan has allowed this spring. He had pitched four scoreless innings prior, but afterward he said he was unconcerned"

Joe Nathan thrilled with third spring outing, a perfect inning in 10-4 loss to Cardinals

March 8

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan pitched a perfect inning during the Twins' 10-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday and said that, so far, he couldn't be more pleased with his recovery process. It was Nathan's third outing of the spring. Things have gone so well, he said, that he feels as if he's ready to throw on back-to-back days. "After my first outing there was a little bit of soreness," Nathan said. "After the second outing I felt great. I told (pitching coach Rick Anderson) that I could have thrown the next day after that second outing. And here's my third. I'm expecting to come in and feel great." Nathan said that if all goes well the progression would be for him to throw two days in a row - once"

Joe Nathan sore, but in a good way

March 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Joe Nathan said there were no surprises when he awoke Wednesday morning, and that's a very good thing. One day after pitching for the first time in almost a year, Nathan reported some soreness in his surgically repaired elbow but said it was nothing he hadn't expected. "There's some aftereffects," Nathan said. "Some tightness, but it was everything I expected coming in. I was able to play catch today. It got loose, and I went out and did all the drills. I'll take care of things today, do the right thing, and come in tomorrow feeling a lot better. "As time goes along, it will feel better and better each day." Nathan threw a 20-pitch inning Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox and said he used"

Joe Nathan throws 20 pitches, scoreless inning in his first game action in a year

March 2

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Twenty pitches closer to his comeback from Tommy John surgery, Joe Nathan stood in the Twins' dugout at Hammond Stadium on Tuesday, surveying the field, chatting with teammates and smiling. The all-star closer had just pitched in his first spring training game — his first game of any kind — since walking off the field almost one year ago with his ulnar collateral ligament torn completely and his 2010 season over before it began. "You can only imagine," manager Ron Gardenhire said, "you miss that much time and you love the game as much as he does. It was a pretty big day for him." A big day for Nathan and for the Twins, who are waiting to see how the closer's spring plays out before"

Nathan all smiles after scoreless-inning debut

March 2

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins righthander Joe Nathan on Tuesday was more nervous for a spring game than a veteran with his credentials should be. "At the same time, it was a big step for me," he said. His past year has been filled with baby steps and bigger steps. Tuesday's game was a major checkpoint on his road back to the majors, and he breezed through it with a scoreless fourth inning in a game the Twins dropped 5-0 to Boston at Hammond Stadium. Nathan is one more step closer now to returning as the Twins closer. He missed all of last season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during an outing against the Red Sox on March 6. He missed the Twins' inaugural season at Target Field and"

Nathan's recovery points to the ninth inning

March 1

Yahoo! Sports

columnist Jeff Passan

"For a few years now, Minnesota Twins pitchers have walked about their clubhouse in spring training with white tube socks tied around their heads, like off-brand samurai masters. The Twins' inner sanctum often is the domain of the ridiculous, the place that spawned naked batting practice sessions from Torii Hunter and Mike Redmond after bad losses. Anytime players add clothes, it's a bonus. On most of them, the headband looks "Karate Kid" ridiculous. Only then in walks Joe Nathan, his beard more gray than brown, his walk deliberate, his countenance sage. The image fits. He is the wise and wizened man of the Twins' staff, 13 months older than Carl Pavano and nearly six years older than the"

Twins closer Joe Nathan passes first test

February 17

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Twins closer Joe Nathan left his first bullpen session of the spring the way pitching coach Rick Anderson wanted to see him. "The biggest thing," Anderson said, "is when he walked off the mound, he was smiling. That tells you it went good." Nathan's eight-minute bullpen session Wednesday morning was the first time Anderson had seen the Twins' career saves leader throw since Nathan had season-ending elbow surgery last March 26. It couldn't have gone better. "Outstanding," Anderson said. "I told Joe, 'That's the freest and easiest that I've seen your arm.' That's kind of what you look for. The ball came out of his hand good, and the biggest thing is he feels great. He looked really good, not"

New year, new Nathan

February 16

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Joe Nathan had suits and ties piled on a table Wednesday not far from the main entrance of his suburban home. Boxes were scattered around the bedroom closet. Last-minute wash piled up in the laundry room. "He's supposed to be packing," his wife, Lisa, said skeptically. Nathan was filling his truck before it was shipped to Fort Myers, Fla., for spring training, which begins this week. His packing included a large blue equipment bag from his basement. One pocket contained a plastic bag that held two handfuls of dirt. "Here it is," Nathan said, pulling out what has become a personal symbol of his nearly complete return from Tommy John surgery last March. Nathan scooped up the dirt from the"

Radar gun offers Nathan nice surprise

February 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Twins closer Joe Nathan will arrive at spring training Tuesday with even more confidence that his recovery from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery last year has gone well. The righthander took the mound Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium at the University of Tennessee for his final bullpen session before camp and was surprised by what he learned from it. "They didn't tell me before or during, it came after," Nathan said over the telephone from Knoxville. "They said they had a gun on me and I was like, 'Really?' " According to the radar gun, Nathan threw 88 to 89 miles per hour consistently, hitting 91 three times. It's not clear if the radar gun the Volunteers use is the same as"