The Minnesota Twins will find out in about two or three weeks exactly what their chances are to win a pennant this season. That’s when they’ll learn the fate of closer Joe Nathan, who has a tear in his elbow.
The four-time All Star closer could learn at that time that he’ll need season-ending Tommy John surgery. Goodbye pennant hopes. At the least it would force Minnesota’s tough young team to be creative at the back end of the bullpen.
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One option? Former National reliever Jon Rauch, who saved 17 games for Washington in 2008.
But another choice could be Francisco Liriano, who until Tommy John surgery in 2006, seemed destined to become an ace. Now he’s a (sometimes) good, but not great, pitcher. He might serve the Twins better as a closer. With a top closer, they were, by far, the best in the AL Central. Now? We’ll find out … in a couple weeks.
