Nathan heads to New York for surgery, Twins win exhibition game

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FT. MEYERS, Fla. - Twins closer Joe Nathan tomorrow heads to New York, where he'll have elbow ligament replacement surgery on Friday.

The surgery means Nathan is out for the entire 2010 season. He began to feel pain during a Grapefruit League game against Boston on March 6th, and an MRI revealed a significant team in a ligament in his right elbow. After trying two weeks of rest, Nathan could not throw without pain and decided to have the surgery with hopes of being ready to pitch again next spring. The Twins have yet to name anyone to take Nathan's place as the closer.

Joe Mauer had just one hit in his first game since signing a record contract extension, but the Twins got plenty of production from all over the batting order in yesterday's 7-2 exhibition win over Boston at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. Mauer's hit was a bloop double that drove in a run and helped drive Boston starter Clay Buchholz from the mound. Denard Span scored twice and drove in two runs in support of starting pitcher Carl Pavano, who held the Red Sox to two hits over five scoreless innings. The Twins play the Marlins today with Kevin Slowey making his fifth appearance of the spring. The regular season opener is April 5th against the Los Angeles Angels in southern California.

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