Tigers' Joe Nathan out for season with torn UCL, tendon
— -- Detroit Tigers closer Joe Nathan will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament and tendon, the team announced Thursday.
The 40-year-old Nathan, who is seventh all time in MLB with 377 career saves, suffered the injury Wednesday after leaving a minor league game after just 10 pitches. He clutched his elbow and said he felt a pop.
He returned to Detroit and underwent an MRI on Wednesday, which revealed the UCL tear and a flexor pronator tear. He will undergo surgery at a later date.
"It feels like I broke my arm," Nathan said Wednesday. "I never have broken my arm, but I would assume this is what it feels like."
Nathan, who had targeted Friday as his return from the disabled list with an elbow strain, was scheduled to throw 25 pitches for Triple-A Toledo.
"Obviously, it was enough for me to take myself out of a game. And anytime somebody walks off the mound is never a good thing."
Nathan, in his second season with the Tigers, missed the entire 2010 season after having Tommy John surgery.
He returned to Comerica Park later Wednesday for tests.
"It hurts," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're a better bullpen with Joe in it, no question."
Nathan had said that he didn't have any soreness after a full bullpen session in Detroit on Monday.
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