Twins closer RHP Joe Nathan might be added to the list of prime-time performers on the DL.
Coming off of surgery in October to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow, the 35-year-old Nathan might be headed to the disabled list after feeling some soreness on Saturday.
Nathan in the six years he has been the Twins closer has been lights out. Arguably the Stony Brook product been better than Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Over the past six years Nathan has posted a lower ERA (1.87 to 1.90) and WHIP (0.95 to 0.99) than Rivera. Plus the Twins closer has higher K/9IP numbers (11.14 to 8.67) than the Yankees legend.
If Nathan is to be out for any period of time his absence will leave a huge void at the back end of Minnesota's bullpen. Since taking over the closer role for the Twins in 2004, Nathan posted only one season with a WHIP over 1.00 (1.02 in 2007) and saved at least 36 games each year.
The Twins were to be contenders for the always wide-open AL Central with the addition of 2B Orlando Hudson to the strong nucleus of reigning AL MVP C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau. The pitching was expected to take another step forward in the young rotation with LHP Francisco Liriano another year removed from elbow surgery and the continued improvement of starters RHP Scott Baker (15 wins in '09), RHP Nick Blackburn (team-best 205.2 IP to go along with an 11-11 record last year), and RHP Kevin Slowey (10-3 before missing the final three months of the season with an injury).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ouch. I may be rethinking my prediction of the Twins winning the AL Central.
ReplyDeleteAccording to ESPN, Nathan has a torn elbow ligament.
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2010/news/story?id=4978634&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines
I had the Twins as favorites this year, I'm rethinking it right now. Does this change the AL Central for anybody else?
15.1 WAR for Nathan, 15.3 WAR for Rivera over those six years by the way.
ReplyDeleteIt's not sounding good for Nathan at all. This is definitely going to hurt the Twins. Is Neshek going to be effective after surgery or will Guerrier get the job?
ReplyDeleteThe Twins are in trouble. Without Nathan that leaves a huge hole at the back end of the bullpen. Minnesota will need to rely on its starting rotation even more to make a playoff push this season.
ReplyDeleteNeshek coming off surgery, huge risk. Guerrier relies on his defense much more than your typical shut down reliever, with 2 good years of relief versus 3 years which do not say future closer. A group of relievers in Duensing, Crain, and Condrey that are not 8th or 9th inning guys. Mijares struggles against righties, but should be an effective member of the bullpen. Jon Rauch has to be the favorite, which I believe says all it needs to. I can see them making a move if they are in it, but do they need to move on this now or when they find out if Neshek is healthy and effective enough?
ReplyDelete