Joe Nathan earned his fourth save of the season in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Royals. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters before first pitch that he was inserting Nathan back into the ninth-inning role for the foreseeable future, and the veteran right-hander rewarded that confidence hours later with a hitless frame. Nathan needs to be owned again in all eligible fantasy leagues.

Joe Nathan has regained the closer's role from Matt Capps, according to manager Ron Gardenhire. The writing has been on the wall for a while, as Capps has struggled mightily in recent save chances and Nathan has slowly been regaining his form. The veteran Nathan has not allowed a run in his past seven relief appearances and has the ability to remain Gardenhire's primary ninth inning man for the rest of the season.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Joe Nathan would have closed Wednesday had there been a save situation. Gardy is still officially saying that Matt Capps is his closer, but we're guessing he'll move on soon. Nathan's velocity has been up since his return from the DL and he's been much sharper, giving up just one run on two hits while striking out five and walking no one over five innings. Capps might not be totally done in the ninth inning yet, but Nathan is the better bet for saves the rest of the way.

Joe Nathan pitched a perfect inning of relief for a hold Friday against the Brewers. Nathan gave up a run in his first appearance back from the DL, but he's retired all six men he's faced in the last two. Since his velocity is coming back, he still might be a candidate for saves in the second half. It'd hardly be a shock to see Matt Capps traded.

Joe Nathan averaged 93.2 mph on his fastball in a scoreless appearance against the Dodgers on Tuesday night. Nathan notched two strikeouts in one perfect frame. "I'm trusting my fastball right now, which is nice," said Nathan. "Before, I was definitely throwing a lot of breaking balls and not working off my fastball. I was able to throw my heater, and the times that I did go to a breaking ball, it made them more effective. I think I only threw two breaking balls." Nathan was averaging around 91 mph before going on the disabled list, so while it was only one appearance, this is a very encouraging sign. He could eventually regain the closer role if the Twins decide to shop Matt Capps.

Twins activated RHP Joe Nathan from the 15-day disabled list. Nathan attempted to return a bit too swiftly from Tommy John surgery and wound up posting a 7.63 ERA in 17 appearances this season before landing on the disabled list in late May. He should fare better this time around, but probably won't overtake Matt Capps in the ninth inning without a truly dominant performance.

Twins trainer Rick McWane said Joe Nathan (elbow) will be activated from the disabled list Friday. Nathan allowed an unearned run but struck out the side Wednesday during his final rehab appearance for Triple-A Rochester. It was doubly important because Nathan showed that he's ready to pitch on back-to-back days. He'll likely be eased into things initially but should find himself in a setup role and possibly the closer role eventually.

Joe Nathan (elbow) will make another rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Rochester. The Twins were debating whether or not to pitch Nathan on back-to-back days, but since he needed just 11 pitches to get through a scoreless inning Tuesday, it made the decision easier to send him back out there. ''Everything went well,'' Nathan said. ''Located fastball well. Felt good. Do it again tomorrow.'' Nathan seems likely to be activated from the DL if Wednesday's appearance goes well.

Joe Nathan (elbow) had a perfect inning while striking out two in his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Rochester Saturday. Nathan reportedly touched 93 mph on the radar gun, which is obviously a good sign. He's expected to make a few more appearances for Rochester, which will include throwing in back-to-back games, before being activated, possibly by Friday.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Thursday that Joe Nathan (elbow) will "definitely" head to Triple-A Rochester to begin a minor league rehab assignment. Nathan threw batting practice Wednesday to teammate Joe Mauer and prospect Miguel Sano without any issues, so he's finally ready for game action. He'll likely need two or three appearances in the minors before rejoining the Twins.