DETROIT – Tigers closer Joe Nathan was likely one step away from rejoining the Major League club as he continued to rehab from a flexor strain he suffered in the first series of the year.
That step came in Toledo Wednesday, when Nathan was scheduled to throw an inning against Triple-A competition. But after retiring the first two batters on 10 pitches, Nathan said something felt wrong.
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The 40-year-old reliever called trainers out to the mound after throwing a fastball to the third hitter of the inning. He said he felt pain in his throwing arm and exited the game.
Now, there's no timetable for his comeback. Nathan is in the latter half of a two-year, $20 million deal he signed with the Tigers prior to the 2014 season.
At the time one of the game's best closers, Nathan's first season went poorly in Detroit. He blew seven saves in 42 chances and posted a 4.81 ERA.
In 2015, he struck out Torii Hunter to close out an Opening Day win. Now, it's unclear when his next save opportunity will arrive.
Joakim Soria assumed closing duties after Nathan hit the 15-day DL and has since thrown 6.2 one-run innings, including five saves. Soria's last five appearances have been hitless, walk-less innings. Only one runner has reached base, via fielding error.
Ausmus previously said Nathan would resume closing games for the Tigers when he came off the DL.