Tigers GM thinks Joe Nathan will open 2015 as closer

Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski indicated Wednesday that Joe Nathan will tentatively open the 2015 campaign as the club's closer despite his struggles this season.

"I would think he starts as our closer going into it," Dombrowski told James Schmehl from MLive.com during his end-of-the-season press conference at Comerica Park. "But he has to perform up to the capabilities required of doing it."

Nathan signed a two-year, $20-million deal with the Tigers last winter, but endured a trying inaugural season in Detroit, posting a 4.81 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP while blowing a career-high 7 saves in 42 opportunities. The 39-year-old also managed his lowest strikeout rate (20.9 percent) since 2002 while affording opponents a career-worst .262 batting average over 58 innings.

"Nathan, we know was very inconsistent," Dombrowski said. "Particularly early in the season."