Closer Nathan leaves game with elbow problem

Mar 6, 2010 - 9:52 PM FORT MYERS, Fla.(AP) -- Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan should be "fine" after leaving Saturday's game with soreness and tightness in his surgically repaired right elbow, manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Nathan left after walking two batters and striking out one in the third inning of the Boston Red Sox 9-3 win.

"Just general soreness just like it always is when you throw," Gardenhire said. "He felt stiffness out there pitching and, as he told me, he just felt a little tight and we're not going to push that at all. Get him off the mound and we'll go from there.

"I think he'll be fine."

Nathan returned to the Twins stadium, also in Fort Myers, where team doctors checked him, Gardenhire said.

The closer struck out Mike Cameron then walked Bill Hall and J.D. Drew before leaving. Glen Perkins replaced him.

Nathan was second in the majors last season with 47 saves then had surgery in October to remove bone spurs and bone chips.