Player Profile #194: Joe Nathan | RP | TEX

It wasn’t a smooth transition back from Tommy John surgery for 37-year-old Nathan, who allowed 13 runs in his first 15 1/3 innings last season. However, after a month-long stint on the DL, Nathan came back fairly strong striking out 28 batters and walking just five in 29 1/3 innings. Now in Texas, Nathan should get first crack at closer’s duties, but they do have a fairly deep bullpen. Mike Adams and Koji Uehara are capable of closing games so I don’t expect Nathan to have a long leash. If he can hold onto the closers job all season he should be able to post solid strikeout numbers with good control and a good shot at 30+ saves. Best case scenario: J.J. Putz (ARI) Similar players: Huston Street (SD), Andrew Bailey (OAK), Brandon League (SEA) Worst case scenario: Pitching in the 7th or 8th innings Strengths Strikeouts, control. Nathan has always been a top-notch strikeout pitcher (career 9.39 K/9) and he will get to feast on anemic lineups such as the Mariners and A...