Joe Nathan
RP FA
Tue 1/31/17 2:41 PM

Nathan signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training Thursday, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 42-year-old appeared in 10 games with the Cubs and Giants last season, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings. He hasn't spent a full season in the majors since 2014, when he held a 4.81 ERA over 58 innings, converting 35 of 42 save opportunities.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Thu 12/8/16 5:47 PM

Nathan is interested in returning to the majors for the 2017 season, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 42-year-old sat out all of 2015 due to Tommy John surgery, recovering in 2016 to throw a combined 6.1 scoreless innings with the Cubs and Giants. His last full season came in 2014 with the Tigers, where he posted a 4.81 ERA across 58 innings while converting 35 of his 42 save opportunities. With his age and injury history, it is difficult what to make of Nathan's desire to return. If he is miraculously able to repeat his 2013 numbers (1.39 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 3.1 W/9 and 43 saves), Nathan will find himself a home quickly. However, it is more likely we will see numbers closer to his 2014 totals (4.81 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 4.5 W/9 and 35 saves), which will make it difficult for the righty to find much value in fantasy. At this point, he's more of a "wait and see" option.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Sat 9/10/16 5:52 PM

Nathan threw a scoreless inning in Friday's extra-inning win over Arizona.
EDGE Analysis
Despite announcing a closer by committee prior to the game, manager Bruce Bochy turned to Santiago Casilla when the first save opportunity presented itself. After that plan backfired, Bochy went to Nathan to close the door on the home team in the bottom of the 11th inning. The 41-year-old did just that, keeping the Giants in the game so they could eventually win it in the 12th. Cory Gearrin wound up getting the save, but the argument can be made that Nathan's inning was just as important. San Francisco's closing situation is very murky right now, but those who are starving for saves could take a look at Nathan because it appears he has already earned Bochy's trust late in games.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Thu 9/8/16 1:09 PM

Nathan blew his first save appearance with the Giants, surrendering two hits and allowing both inherited runners to score in a 6-5 loss to Colorado.
EDGE Analysis
Nathan was brought in to clean up the mess Giants closer Santiago Casilla created but was unable to get the job done. While he technically blew the save, this loss was not on him. As a result of the implosion in the ninth, manager Bruce Bochy could be looking for a new closer and Nathan could be in the mix based on his past experience in that role, CSN Bay Area reports.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Sat 9/3/16 11:13 AM

The Giants recalled Nathan from Double-A Richmond on Saturday.
EDGE Analysis
Nathan had no trouble retiring batters while with Richmond, giving up just three hits and no runs over six innings, so the Giants decided to add him to the big-league roster for the stretch run. Nathan, who was drafted by the Giants in 1995, figures to work in middle relief.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Tue 8/16/16 2:38 PM

Nathan will sign a minor-league contract with the Giants, MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nathan is set to hook up with one of his former squads after being designated for assignment by the Cubs earlier in August. He appeared in just two games with the Cubs but did not give up a run, and has a chance to be added to a big-league roster again before the season comes to an end.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Fri 8/5/16 6:05 PM

Nathan was designated for assignment Friday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Cubs needed to clear a roster spot after activating Jorge Soler (hamstring) earlier Friday, and their recent additions to the bullpen made Nathan an expendable piece. Nathan had made just three relief appearances since Jul. 24 and none of those appearances were in August. He'll now be subject to waivers and could return to the Cubs organization if he goes unclaimed.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Mon 7/25/16 12:03 AM

Nathan struck out the side in the sixth inning of his Cubs debut Sunday, earning the victory in the process.
EDGE Analysis
Nathan came into the game trailing 4-1, but the Cubs scored five runs in the seventh inning to give him the win. He walked one and gave up one hit.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Sun 7/24/16 11:34 AM

Nathan (elbow) was activated by the Cubs prior to Sunday's matchup against the Brewers, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nathan will make his long-anticipated return after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2015. The 41-year-old allowed four earned runs in 9.1 rehab innings, but struck out nine and allowed opponents to post a sub-.100 batting average. He'll look to provide bullpen depth in Chicago -- a team that is widely rumored to be in search of high-profile talent to help bolster a struggling crew of relief arms.

Joe Nathan
RP FA
Sat 7/23/16 5:42 PM

Nathan (elbow) will be activated prior to Sunday's game against the Brewers, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 41-year-old righty has made an admirable return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 3.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 9:5 K:BB in 9.1 innings across Double-A and Triple-A on his rehab assignment. The Cubs have a strong bullpen that could get even stronger at the trade deadline so Nathan will likely be used in fairly low-leverage situations.