Tigers' Nathan to undergo Tommy John surgery: 'I'm not done yet'
Joe Nathan's miserable tenure as the Detroit Tigers' closer appears to have come to an end.
The 40-year-old is set to undergo Tommy John surgery after an MRI on his right elbow revealed a torn UCL and tendon, ending his season.
Nathan said he plans to rehab as if he will play again, but understands the reality of his injury and where he's at in his career.
"Right now, my mindset is still I'm going to bust my butt to get my ass back in this game," Nathan told Matthew Mowery of the Oakland Press. "That's always been the way I went about my career, the way I got drafted, the way I took a year off, and came back as a pitcher. ...
"I do know what's in front of me. I'm also smart enough to realize that if things don't work out, I have nothing to be upset about. I played baseball until I was 40 years old, if it doesn't. If you would have told me when I started this I'd be playing baseball when I was 40, I'd have been ecstatic. I'm very happy with the way my career has gone, but like I said, I'm not done yet."
Nathan had arguably the worst season of his 15-year career in 2014 with the Tigers, posting a 4.81 ERA and 1.53 WHIP while recording seven blown saves.
His 2015 campaign got off to a rocky start as he struggled throughout spring training where he fashioned a 4.63 ERA across 13 appearances. Nathan landed on the disabled list in early April with elbow soreness that he suffered during his season debut.
Expected to resume the closer's role upon his return from the DL, Nathan had a rehab assignment cut short Wednesday after feeling a pop in his right arm.
"It feels like I broke my arm," Nathan told reporters. "I never have broken my arm, but I would assume this is what it feels like."
With Nathan's absence, interim closer Joakim Soria is expected to take over the role on a full-time basis. Soria is 5-for-5 in save opportunities with a 1.35 ERA since taking over for Nathan.
The division-leading Tigers hold a $10-million team option on Nathan next season, though it appears unlikely they'll exercise it.