Fansided

Joe Nathan Out For Season: Is his career in MLB over?

By Connor Muldowney

Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) point to home during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) point to home during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) point to home during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) point to home during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

After spending over a year with the Detroit Tigers, the nightmare-ish ride to the end of his career may be coming to an end. Does this Tommy John surgery mark the end?

Picking up Joe Nathan last year during free agency, the Detroit Tigers thought they would be getting one of the best closers in baseball — and at the time, he was. Nathan was coming off a season in which he recorded a 1.39 ERA and 43 saves with just three blown.

After joining the Tigers, it all fell apart. Spending years killing Detroit in the ninth inning as member of the opposition, Nathan was now killing the Tigers as a member of the team, blowing a career-high seven saves in 42 chances.

It seemed like the nightmare would never end as he posted a 4.81 ERA and was booed off the field by his own fans more often than not.

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According to reports, Joe Nathan will most likely need to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his torn UCL that he suffered while making a rehab appearance in Triple-A Toledo.

Nathan threw just 10 pitches in the appearance when he said that he felt like his arm was broken. The veteran closer was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier in the season after suffering a right elbow flexor sprain.

What does this all mean for Nathan?

Next: Why Nathan's career isn't Over Yet

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