Joe Nathan - Fantasy News & Updates
Joe Nathan - Fantasy News & Updates
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Nathan saw noted specialist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday after team doctors recommended a minor cleanup to his right elbow. Morneau had been bothered by a bone chip in his right wrist before his season came to an early end in mid-September due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Both Nathan and Morneau are expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training, Smith said.
Nathan has been magnificent since giving up four earned runs on Sept. 2, delivering 12 saves in as many opportunities. He's also permitted just two earned runs with 10 baserunners and 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings over that time as he continues to rank among the game's most reliable closer options.
Nathan has been among the best closers in fantasy all season long, but he has really stepped up for the Twins down the stretch. He saved 10 games in September alone and has allowed just five hits and two earned runs over his last 12 2/3 innings. The Twins keep giving him chances to pick up saves, and Nathan keeps on nailing them down -- he has currently saved 11 straight.
Nathan's 44 saves lead the big leagues, and tie the career high he set back in 2004. Nathan's 4.35 ERA in September doesn't look great, but that mark is largely due to a brutal blown save on Sept. 2. Since then, Nathan has allowed just one earned run on four hits over 9 2/3 innings and converted nine straight save opportunities. In other words, business as usual.
Nathan has successfully closed the door in his last eight save opportunities, surrendering only four hits and one earned run over 8 2/3 innings of work. The veteran fireman has once again been one the best in the business, as he’s held opposing batters to a minuscule .176 batting average.
Brian Fuentes now has some company at the top of the Major League leader board. Nathan's career high of 44 saves that he set during his first year as the Twins' ninth-inning man of choice in 2004 is in considerable jeopardy.
Nathan had some wiggle room in this one, as he entered with a two-run lead and settled down after serving up a gopher ball to Matt LaPorta. With the save, the dominant fireman reached 40 for the first time since 2005 and the third time in his career.
These were just the second and third baserunners Nathan has allowed in his last five appearances, and he has struck out seven and allowed no earned runs over those five innings of work. In other words, he's pitching like Joe Nathan.
Nathan has clearly shaken off his heartbreaking blown save of Sept. 2, and has now saved two straight and tallied four strikeouts over his last two innings of work. He remains one of the best, if not the best, closers in fantasy.
Nathan suffered a wrenching blown save on Sept. 2, but looked every bit like the invincible Joe Nathan fantasy owners know and love in this one. He remains the most dominating closer in fantasy thanks to his miniscule 0.96 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings, and it will take more than a (brutal) blown save here or there to change that.
A totally uncharacteristic outing for Nathan, who entered the game with a 2-0 lead and promptly gave it all back and then some. Just how out of the ordinary was his implosion? The last time Nathan was touched for more than three earned runs in an appearance was back in 2005. With Wednesday’s tuning up, the normally dominant fireman saw his ERA rise from 1.71 to 2.36.
Even though Nathan has notched three saves in his last four appearances, he's also given up 11 baserunners during that span. It's an unhealthy rate at which to allow batsmen to reach base, so don't be surprised if Nathan is the victim of another blown save in the near future.
Nathan has put nine runners on base over his past four outings but has still managed to convert all three of his save opportunities during that time. The steady right-hander should be fine going forward.
Rauch, who was acquired by the D-backs from the Nationals last July 22, was 2-8 with three saves and a 4.87 ERA in 84 games over parts of two seasons for Arizona. He posted a 4.14 ERA over 58 appearances this year. The big veteran's move to Minnesota doesn't alter his fantasy value too drastically, as the Twins already employ one of the best closers in the game in Joe Nathan, so Rauch certainly won't be in the mix for saves. Rauch, who compiled 12 holds with the D-backs this season, figures to join Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares as part of the Minnesota setup crew.
Nathan bounced back from a rare blown save, cutting his ERA down to 1.63 while lifting his punchout total to 65 in 49 2/3 innings.
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