Joe Christensen of the Minnesota Star-Tribune says that Twins closer Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar colateral ligament in his elbow making him a candidate for Tommy John Surgery. Nathan will decide within two weeks to have the surgery, and if he does he will miss the entire 2010 season. Christensen follows up later saying that the Twins are considering contingency plans at closer.
The plans over the next two weeks are let the soreness and swelling subside, and build strength in the muscles around the joint, before a final decision about surgery, according to the Associated Press. Nathan will seek a second opinion, surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
“If I’m able to go out there and throw, then I’ll definitely give it a shot,” Nathan told reporters in Fort Myers. “The only reason that I would get a surgery done is if I’m just unable to go out there.”
Nathan, 35, was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 47 saves with the Twins in 2009. He has a salary of $11.25 million. You can see Nathan’s contract history and statistics here.
Related posts:
- PRO Rumors: Russell Martin injury, Angel Guman injury and Joe Nathan injury
- Carlos Beltran Rumors: Outfielder has knee surgery
- Minnesota Twins Rumors: Jim Thome and Joe Mauer
- Jim Thome Rumors: Interest by Twins is real
- Chien-Ming Wang Rumors: Drawing interest from Mets
