Minnesota Twins might shut Glen Perkins down due to elbow irritation

The Minnesota Twins have already been eliminated from postseason contention, but now it appears they could lose the services of closer Glen Perkins slightly before the regular season ends.

Perkins last pitched on September 16, when he allowed three runs and blew the save against the Detroit Tigers, but the Twins came back to win and earned their all-star closer his fourth win of the season. If Perkins is done for the season, he finishes the year with 34 saves, a 3.65 ERA in 61.2 innings pitched,  but the good news for Twins fans is the issue is likely not serious, and will allow the two-time all-star to recover in time for spring training next season.

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That’s especially good news as Perkins signed a four-year extension earlier this season with Minnesota, so now the Twins are on the hook for at least $22 million until 2017. Not too bad for a great reliever — provided he’s healthy and still pitching well. If the Twins were still in contention, there’s a chance Perkins’s elbow issue would be more scrutinized and a comeback before the season ended would be considered, but since they’re not, it’s likely he just sits out the last few games of the year.

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