Joe Nathan Has Torn Ligament, Might Miss 2010

March 9 is a bit early for season-crippling news, but the Minnesota Twins may have just received some. Four-time All-Star closer Joe Nathan, who has averaged 41 saves and a 1.87 ERA since coming to Minnesota in 2004, has learned his 2010 season is in jeopardy. Nathan flew back to Minnesota to get an MRI on his elbow a few days ago after experiencing discomfort, and the results came back with a significant tear to his ulnar collateral ligament, the team informed the press Tuesday morning.

Yes, a UCL tear is traditionally repaired via the famous Tommy John surgery.

For now, Nathan won't be having the surgery. He'll take a few weeks and try to rehab the area before taking to the hill to see if he can pitch through it. According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Star-Tribune, Nathan is prepared to pitch through pain all season if need be, due to the high expectations the Twins have for 2010.

But let's be realistic, that's a pretty tall order, even for someone with the talent level Nathan has. The tear, again, is said to be significant. It's unlikely Nathan will be able to pitch at all this season, and he even sounds someone resigned to the possibility.

``I'm going to do whatever I can right now to give myself the best chance to go out there and help this team out,'' Nathan said, ``but at the same time, I'm not going let this go on too long because at the same time, I know these guys have a decision to make, and they've gotta prepare for the season, too, so I will make a decision quicker rather than later and give them ample time to do what they have to do.''

So, the smart money is on Nathan missing the entire 2010 campaign, it's just that the decision won't be announced for a couple weeks. It's certainly still possible he pitches through this, but there aren't many documented cases where it actually worked out well.

Nathan has been one of baseball's elite closers since coming to Minnesota in a lopsided trade back in the 2003-2004 offseason, when he came with Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano in exchange for A.J. Pierzynski. He's saved at least 36 games in every single one of his six seasons for the Twins. He strikes out hitters at a high-rate and rarely coughs up the longball. He's saved 91 percent of his chances for Minnesota as well.

Simply put, losing him would be a devastating situation for the Twins.