Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday morning that he plans to use Joe Nathan only in save situations moving forward. Nathan closed out Tuesday's win over the Red Sox, but Washington said he would have used Alexi Ogando if the Rangers had a four-run lead. "I changed my thinking," said Washington. "If we happen to get a bigger lead, with the workload Joe has had, I'm going to try and stay away from him. I'm going to try to save every bullet we can for him for as long as we hope we will be going." Nathan is feeling much better after receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder over the weekend, but the Rangers are going to monitor his workload the rest of the way.

Rangers skipper Ron Washington stated on Friday that Joe Nathan would not pitch on Friday, and may sit the entire weekend in order to "get fresh". Nathan has not been the same since a two-inning outing on July 7th, and Washington wants to exercise caution with his shutdown closer. Since that point, he's registered an 8.22 ERA and allowed three home runs over eight outings, spanning 7 2/3 innings. Look for Mike Adams to get the call should a save opportunity arise on Friday.

Joe Nathan had one of his worst appearances as a Ranger on Wednesday, but came home with a win in Texas' 11-10, 10-inning triumph over the Angels. Tasked with keeping the game 7-7 in the 10th, Nathan allowed three runs on two hits, both of which were home runs. One came off the bat of Albert Pujols, the other Chris Iannetta. Nevertheless, he earned the "win" when Texas answered with four tallies in the bottom half of the frame. Despite the awful night, Nathan still owns a 2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and sparkling 50/7 K/BB ratio through 42 1/3 innings and 42 appearances.

Joe Nathan tossed a perfect ninth inning Tuesday against the Tigers to notch his 17th save of the season. Nathan struck out two batters. It's been a remarkable bounce-back season for the veteran closer, as he boasts a 1.99 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and ridiculous 39/3 K/BB ratio over 31 2/3 innings. Nathan hasn't blown a save since April 11, which is the lone time he's coughed up a lead this year. His velocity is back and so is high upper-level fantasy value.

Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his 12th save on Tuesday against the A's. He gave up a hit and struck out a batter. A little faith can go a long way, apparently. Rangers skipper Ron Washington stuck by the veteran closer after Nathan allowed four runs over his first four appearances as a Ranger. Since that point -- April 11th, to be exact, the date of his only blown save -- Nathan has allowed just one run over 20 innings. Nathan currently has a 1.90 ERA that continues to plummet. His velocity is back and so is high upper-level fantasy value.

Joe Nathan was sitting between 95-96 mph with his fastball on Wednesday against the A's. Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says that's something Nathan "hasn't done since 2006-2007." The veteran reliever has settled in to the Rangers' ninth-inning role and should be a top-tier closer in fantasy leagues by the end of the 2012 campaign.

Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation Saturday against the Twins. It was Nathan's first appearance since he gave up three runs in a blown save Wednesday against the Mariners. He allowed a single to Justin Morneau and a double to Josh Willingham to begin the inning, but struck out Ryan Doumit and Danny Valencia before getting Chris Parmelee to ground out to end it. Mike Adams and Alexi Ogando handled the last two save opportunities as Nathan was getting some extra rest, but his closer job is not any jeopardy at the moment.

Joe Nathan was given his second straight day off Friday, but Rangers' manager Ron Washington said that his closer job is not in jeopardy. Mike Adams closed out Thursday's game and Alexi Ogando got the call on Friday, but Washington insists that Nathan is just getting extra rest after throwing 27 pitches as part of a blown save on Wednesday. "He had a big workload the last time out there, and we decided to give him one more," said Washington. "He'll be back in there tomorrow."

The Rangers will stick with Joe Nathan as closer. Nathan's Ranger career has gotten off to a rocky start. The veteran has the club's only two losses and a 9.00 ERA. Texas isn't going to panic, but Mike Adams deserves a chance to close at some point. "Joe Nathan is proven and he's going to get his opportunity with the Texas Rangers to prove he can close games," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "I don't want him looking over his back. I don't want him doubting himself. I'm telling you guys right now he's my closer and when he's ready to go again he's going to get the ball."

Joe Nathan retired the heart of the Mariners lineup in order on Tuesday to pick up his second save of the season. Nathan only needed nine pitches to retire Ichiro Suzuki, Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager in order. He's been very impressive so far this season and maintains that everything feels great with his surgically repaired elbow. Don't be surprised if he posts vintage numbers, similar to his great seasons in Minnesota.