Washington, Rangers Remain Confident In Nathan

The new closer for the Texas Rangers, Joe Nathan, has recorded saves in two of the team’s four wins, but he has also given up the runs that led to each of the team’s two losses on the year--hardly a start to the year that one would hope for for Nathan, but manager Ron Washington remains confident in the 37-year-old.

In fact, following Nathan’s outing on Wednesday, in which he surrendered three runs to the Mariners in the ninth, giving Seattle a 4-3 victory, Washington delivered a resounding vote of confidence in his new closer.

"Joe Nathan is proven," Washington said, per ESPN Dallas. "He's going to get his opportunity with the Texas Rangers to prove he can close games. I don't want him looking over his back and I don't want him doubting himself. He's my closer. When he's ready to go again, he'll get the ball. And if he goes back-to-back days, I'm going to give it to him."

Mike Adams got the save for Texas on Thursday, a scheduled rest day for Nathan, but Adams, too, remains confident in Nathan.

"I was just filling in today. There won't be any movement in here," Adams said. "Joe's our closer. I don't think there's any question about it."