Team Not Concerned About Nathan’s Elbow

The Minnesota Twins and pitcher Joe Nathan himself are not concerned about Nathan’s surgically repaired right elbow after the closer left mid-inning during Saturday’s Spring Training game due to “tightness and achiness.”

Nathan was pulled after only 20 pitches (10 for strikes) and after only retiring one batter.  Nathan said that pulling him out of the game was a precaution.

“We didn’t want to push through anything,” Nathan said.  “I think it’s being more careful than anything right now. We’re taking things slow because we still have a lot of time.”

The Twins will send Nathan to the team’s Spring Training complex to get checked on, but manager Ron Gardenhire did not seem overly-concerned.

“No one really thinks it’s a big deal,” Gardenhire said.  “He’s had a surgery there.  It’s soreness in the same spot.  But I can’t tell you until we talk to our doctors and see what they say and see how he feels [Sunday].  Supposedly there wasn’t a lot of concern, but we’ll see.”

Shortlink: