Minnesota Twins Fan Blog

Nathan has torn elbow ligament

Minnesota Twins reliever Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow, leaving the team without a proven closer less than a month from Opening Day.

Nathan has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will decide whether to have surgery within two weeks, the team said. The Minneapolis Star Tribune first reported the injury.

The team announced Nathan has a “significant tear,” but will not immediately opt for surgery. He will rest and rehab the elbow over the next one to two weeks, then determine whether he can pitch with the injury.

Nathan may get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon who operated on his elbow last October to remove bone chips.

Surgery would likely cost Nathan all of the 2010 season — a potentially devastating turn of events for a team expected to contend in the AL Central Division. Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament have led to season-ending Tommy John surgery for other pitchers.

Click here to read the full article – By of ESPN.com

March 9, 2010 Posted by GameSetMatch | Joe Nathan, Minnesota Twins | Baseball, baseball injury, Joe Nathan, joe nathan injury, Minnesota, Minnesota Twins, MLB, Twins, Twins Baseball, twins injury, Twins News | No Comments Yet