Nathan injured, but don't count Twins out

Joe Nathan, relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow pitching against the Boston Red Sox last Saturday.  Nathan had bone spurs removed before last season in his right elbow to protect from this injury.  Nathan has not decided if he will have season-ending surgery or if he will rehab the right elbow.  

Last season Nathan finished with 47 saves, which was second in the American League and in the MLB, Brian Fuentes of the Los Angeles led the MLB in saves with 48 in 2009.

Nathan's injury has Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, deciding on who will take Nathans place as the Twins closer.  Jon Rauch has 26 saves in his MLB career so far and he would be the first candidate in the running for the closer role. 

Never doubt the Twins minor league system though.  Every year the Twins call-up a minor league player or two and they end up becoming key players for the ball club.  The Twins are known for having a tremendous minor league system that successfully develops minor league players into hard-working day-to-day players in the MLB.

With Nathan possibly out for the season, does that mean that the Twins are not the favorite anymore to win the AL Central?  Absolutely not in my mind. 

The Twins have the offensive power to knock in runs left and right.  With a line-up that will feature Denard Span, Orlando Hudson, J.J. Hardy, Joe Mauer, Jim Thome, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young and Nick Punto, the Twins have little to worry about. 

The Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox have a shot at winning the AL Central, but they will have to produce great offensive numbers and pitch well against the Twins in order to win the AL Central.