Twins All-Star closer Joe Nathan has a torn ligament in his right elbow.  Nathan felt soreness and discomfort after facing just three batters against the Red Sox (including 2 walks).  Obviously any tear of any ligament is a huge deal but this one unfortunately is the ulnur collateral ligament, you know the one that would require Tommy John surgery!

The 35 year old is going to rest for two weeks in an effort to try and build his strength back up.  If this is not successful, Nathan will have to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2010 season which would be a crushing blow to the new look Minnesota Twins. 

As a Twins fan I was naturally reading comments and message boards and most Twins fans are on the happy trail for some reason.  They think with rest Nathan will comeback.  As a matter of fact I’m more scared of Nathan trying to pitch through this and jepordizing his career now, than not pitching at all.  The Twins have a few young starters that they could give up to make a trade for a closer and just have Joe sit this year.  

This news is absolutely devastating for Twins fans.  Nathan has been one of the best closers in the league the past 5 seasons.  Since 2004 he has the most saves in baseball (271) and set a Twins record by saving 47 games in 2009.  I think other than Rivera he is the best closer in baseball right now so I don’t understand how Twins fans still think they can win 94 games without such a vital piece to their team.

I don’t see this two week rest period doing any good for Nathan and the Twins but I suppose it’s worth a shot?  I was, as well as most Twins fans I’m sure, were very excited for the 2010 season.  New additions like JJ Hardy and Orlando Hudson plus the addition of a brand new stadium got me real giddy but yesterday was a cruch blow.  I wish the best of luck to Nathan in his mini rest/rehab and hope he can somehow pitch through this with no side affects because let’s be serious, they need him.

-Jason and Matt both contributed to this post