Tigers' Nathan leaves rehab game with injury, says it 'feels' like he broke his arm
Detroit Tigers reliever Joe Nathan is fearing the worst after feeling a pop in his right arm during Wednesday's rehab appearance at Triple-A Toledo.
Nathan's outing was cut short when he signaled for trainers and pointed to his forearm area after facing just two batters and throwing 10 pitches in what was supposed to be his final tuneup for the majors. He retired to the clubhouse in visible pain after throwing one warmup pitch.
"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."
Nathan, who was slated to throw no more than 25 pitches ahead of his anticipated return to the Tigers on Friday, landed on the disabled list after his first appearance of the season with a right elbow flexor strain. He recorded the save in that outing by striking out the only batter he faced.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has yet to confirm whether Nathan will reclaim the closer's role upon his return, though Wednesday's setback figures to postpone his timeline considerably.
"Until we go find out what's going on, I don't want to speculate on what it is," Nathan said. "But 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, 40, is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, pitching to a 4.81 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with seven blown saves in his first year with the Tigers.
Right-hander Joakim Soria is a perfect 5-for-5 in save opportunities with a 1.35 ERA since taking over ninth-inning duties for first-place Detroit.