Nathan Won't Pitch More Than One Inning

You have to be a special closer to be able to go more than one inning on a consistent basis.

Guys like Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman and Brian Wilson are all known for having the ability to get a team five or six outs to get a save, but not many closers are accustomed to that.

Even Neftali Feliz, who earned AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2010 for his closing ability, wasn't too keen on going more than one inning per outing and only did it a couple of times before moving to the starting rotation entering this season.

And Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said he doesn't want to have his new veteran closer Joe Nathan throwing more than one inning per outing.

"I don't intend on him doing that very often," Washington told the media regarding going beyond Nathan's one-inning limit. "I don't have a formula on it, but I don't plan on him throwing two innings, that's for sure. There may be a time he may have to get me extra outs, but that's not something planned."

Nathan is 37 years old and missed all of 2010 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He came back last season with the Minnesota Twins and from July 16 on seemed to be getting back to his old self, converting 11 of 11 save attempts and picking up a victory.

So yeah, it would be wise of Washington to try to preserve Nathan's arm as much as possible and hope he can find the zone he got in over the second half of last season. And he shouldn't have trouble doing that with the depth the Rangers have in the bullpen, namely Mike Adams and Alexi Ogando going in the later innings.

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"We should have enough guys so he shouldn't have to go two innings," Washington said.

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