BASEBALLPARK

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.

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.

Jon Rauch, a 6-foot-11 right-hander, has the most experience closing games of anyone in the Twins' bullpen, with 26 career saves over five major league seasons. He split 2009 between the Twins and Arizona Diamondbacks, finishing with a 7-3 record, a 3.60 ERA and 17 holds in 75 appearances.

Matt Guerrier, another right-handed reliever, went 5-1 last season with 33 holds and a 2.36 ERA in 79 appearances.


팔꿈치 부상이 생각보다 심한거 같습니다. 잘하면 토미 존 수술 받아야 된다는 얘기도 나오고 있네요.

2주동안 쉬면서 경과를 지켜본 후 수술을 할건지 결정한다고 합니다.

현재 마켓에 나와있는 쓸만한 마무리가 없기에 불펜에 있는 맷 게리어 선수나 존 라우치 둘 중 한명이 마무리를 맡을 가능성이 높다고 하네요.

아무래도 우완에 경험도 있는 라우치가 되지 않을까 예상해봅니다.