Blogs

Joe Nathan

Pitcher
Position
P
Bats
R
Throws
R

Contract: Signed through 2008

  • Height: 6-4
  • Weight: 220 lbs
  • Born: Nov 22, 1974

  • Debut: April 21, 1999

SEASON

IPWSKERA

Newsbreakers

October 22, 2009

Kelly Thesier of MLB.com tweets that Joe Nathan had surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow on Tuesday. He should be ready for spring training.

Our View:

Nathan has been among the most elite closers of the decade and continued that trend last season. He may get off to a slow start come spring training, but expect him to be a top five closer again next season.

October 9, 2009

Joe Nathan entered Friday's game in the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead and promptly gave up a single and then a game-tying two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez. The Twins ended up losing the game 4-3 in the 11th inning on a walk-off homer by Mark Teixeira, and now trail 2-0 in the ALDS.

Our View:

Nathan, who has had his fair share of problems in Division Series play over his career, looked sloppy on Friday night. He allowed four base runners in just 1.1 innings and was saddled with the blown save. It could have been worse as he left the game with runners at the corners and one out, but a clutch double play kept the runs from scoring.

September 2, 2009

Joe Nathan had his worst outing since September 6, 2005 on Wednesday (four runs against the Rangers in a blown save), allowing four White Sox runs in the ninth inning, as Chicago won 4-2 in Minnesota.

Our View:

After that 2005 blown save, Nathan would pitch 8.2 scoreless innings and collect eight saves to finish the season. In 2009, he now has a 2.36 ERA, and has converted 35-of-40 save opportunities.

July 1, 2009

Joe Nathan nailed down his 21st save in Wednesday's 5-1 win at Kansas City. He did not allow any walks or hits over one third of an inning.

Our View:

Nathan currently ranks second in the majors in saves behind Brian Fuentes (22). Nathan has not allowed an earned run over his last 18 appearances.

June 25, 2009

Joe Nathan nailed down his 17th save of the season in Thursday's 6-4 win at Milwaukee. He racked up two strikeouts over a hitless inning of work.

Our View:

Nathan is a perfect 8-for-8 on save chances in June, and is also yet to give up a run over 9.1 innings. He currently ranks third in the AL in saves.

June 13, 2009

Joe Nathan picked up his 15th save on Saturday in the Twins' 2-0 win over the Cubs in Chicago. Nathan did not allow a run and gave up one hit while walking one and striking out one.

Our View:

Nathan got himself into trouble by letting the first two hitters reach base in the ninth, but he managed to work around it to pick up the save. Nathan is still an elite closer, so expect his numbers to be very impressive at the end of the season.

May 31, 2009

Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out two against Tampa Bay on Sunday for his ninth save of the year.

Our View:

Nathan dropped his ERA to 2.33 and his WHIP below 1.00 and remains one of the game's elite closers.

April 29, 2009

Joe Nathan blew his first save of the season on Tuesday, but his team picked him up as the Twins scored one in the bottom of the ninth and beat the Rays 4-3. Nathan earned the victory and is 1-0 on the season.

Our View:

It's hard to find a more dominant and reliable fantasy closer than Joe Nathan. Even the great ones have hiccups, and that's what happened on Tuesday. Joe is still the same ninth inning beast he has been since coming to Minnesota in 2004.

March 5, 2009

Updating an earlier report, Twins closer Joe Nathan felt good after a session against live hitters on Thursday, according to Minnesota's Official Site.

Our View:

This is great news after Nathan decided to pull out of the World Baseball Classic with soreness in his throwing shoulder. We'll keep you posted on his status, but it seems like he'll be fine.

March 5, 2009

Joe Nathan is scheduled to face live hitters in batting practice Thursday and is hopeful to return to game action Saturday, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Our View:

Nathan has been experiencing soreness in his throwing shoulder lately, but no structural damage has been found. He figures to be 100 percent come the start of the season.

March 1, 2009

Joe Nathan will not pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic because of discomfort in his right shoulder, MLB.com reports. "It wouldn't be fair for me to say I'm 100 percent and go play for Team USA when I'm not," Nathan said. "It wouldn't be fair for the Twins or Team USA."

Our View:

Nathan threw on Saturday without any discomfort and is scheduled to throw again today. His absence likely means Angels closer Brian Fuentes will handle the duty of saving games for the Americans.

February 25, 2009

Joe Nathan didn't have a great day on Wednesday, allowing a run off of a walk and two hits in his one inning of work.

Our View:

Nathan's one of the best closers in the majors, so fantasy owners shouldn't be worried by one rough outing to begin the spring.

January 9, 2009

Joe Nathan will throw in the World Baseball Classic, according to MLB.com.

Our View:

Nathan will probably close, just as he has done over the past five seasons for the Twins. He has 199 saves in that time.

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