Joe Nathan recorded his 19th save of the season with a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays.

It wasn't easy, as Nathan allowed a leadoff walk before the next batter reached on an error. But, after a sac bunt, Nathan struck out Jose Bautista and then got Edwin Encarnacion to pop out to end it. The veteran closer has been excellent this season, sporting a 1.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP while converting 19 of 20 save chances.

Joe Nathan blew his first save in Sunday's 13-inning loss to the Mariners.

Nathan allowed a solo homer to Raul Ibanez in the 11th inning, erasing a one-run lead. Seattle won two frames later. Nathan is 16-for-17 in save conversions to go with a 2.21 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 22 appearances.

Joe Nathan notched a save despite giving up a run in the 10th against the A's on Tuesday.

Fortunately for Nathan, Seth Smith's first bid for a double with two men on was pulled just foul. Smith followed that up with an actual double, but unlike the first one, it wasn't in a spot that could score John Jaso as the tying run from first. Nathan then got out of the jam from there. He's been a bit shaky with his velocity down this year, but he still has a nice enough 2.40 ERA to go along with his 12 saves.

Joe Nathan collected his ninth save of the season Wednesday in the Rangers' win over the Brewers.

Nathan allowed a double to Carlos Gomez but retired the other three batters he faced. He has a stellar 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13/2 K/BB ratio through 12 innings this season and should remain an elite fantasy closer all year.

Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 5-1 win for the Rangers over the Red Sox on Saturday.

It was a non-save situation for the Rangers closer, who hadn't pitched in a week before the outing. The Rangers had only won two games in that time, and neither were close enough to warrant use of the veteran. His sparing use isn't a commentary on his standing with the club -- the next time the Rangers need a save, we're betting it's Nathan who gets the call.

Joe Nathan served up a homer to Oswaldo Arcia in the ninth inning on Friday, but was still able to convert his eighth save of the season.

Nathan entered with two men on base and the Rangers leading 4-0, but Arcia's three-run homer made things much closer. Still, the veteran stopper battled back and preserved the one-run victory. He now owns a 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10/1 K/BB ratio on the season, and remains one of the finest closers in the league.

Joe Nathan picked up his seventh save in seven opportunities Thursday with a scoreless ninth against the Twins.

Nathan's velocity remains down, and he's throwing more breaking balls to compensate. So far, it's working just fine for him, as he's allowed one run in 8 1/3 innings. He doesn't really look dominant, though.

Joe Nathan has converted all three of his save chances while boasting a 1.80 ERA and 6/1 K/BB ratio over five frames this season.

The lone run Nathan allowed came in an outing against the Rays Monday that could have been worse if not for Marty Foster's generous strike three call. Still, the 38-year-old has been lights-out otherwise and is on his way to again being one of the better fantasy closers this season.

Joe Nathan will be about a week behind the other Rangers' pitchers during spring training.

Nathan isn't injured, but the team just wants to bring the 38-year-old along slowly. He is the only one of the 31 healthy Rangers pitchers not to throw a live batting practice session yet. "At the age he is, we just want to make sure that any bullets we use down here are necessary," manager Ron Washington said. Nathan will be the team's closer again in 2013 after saving 37 games while posting a 2.80 ERA and 78/13 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings last season.

Joe Nathan declined an invitation to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Nathan is 38 years old and two years removed from Tommy John surgery, so his primary focus is pitching for the Rangers. "I respectfully declined," Nathan told ESPN Dallas via text. "It was a huge honor to be asked and I feel good, but I want to do right by the Rangers."