Twins place reliever Nathan on disabled list

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS

The Minnesota Twins have placed right-handed reliever Joe Nathan on the disabled list due to soreness in his surgically repaired elbow. He said he’s prepared to miss between 10 days and a month.

The move was made Saturday retroactive to May 24, and left-hander Chuck James was brought up from Triple-A Rochester to take his place in the bullpen. Nathan’s injury has been diagnosed as a right flexor muscle strain.

Nathan has struggled in his recovery from Tommy John ligament replacement surgery that kept him out the entire 2010 season. He has a 7.63 ERA in 17 appearances.

Nathan, who was to have an MRI test Saturday afternoon, said he’s confident irritation and inflammation is all he’s dealing with rather than more serious damage.

“I think most guys that go through this will have setbacks, obviously,” Nathan said. “My situation in the middle of the season is unfortunate, and you never want to have setbacks that put you on the DL. But we want to take care of this thing and be able to gradually get better as the season goes on.”

Nathan said he still feels “ahead of the game” at the 14-month mark of his surgery.