When the Texas Rangers opted to not re-sign closer Joe Nathan after the 2013 season, they did so with the knowledge that former All-Star Joakim Soria was 100 percent recovered from his Tommy John surgery and could handle the gig in 2014.
Soria did just that for the Rangers, until they traded him to Detroit before the trade deadline so he could join forces with Nathan in the back end of the Tigers' bullpen.
The job is Soria's as Nathan was shut down after his first outing this season, and now the job is Soria's for seemingly a good while after it was announced Nathan is the latest pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery. The surgery was performed by Rangers team doctor Dr. Keith Meister.
Nathan, 40, could be finished now as it's hard to imagine someone his age being able to recover from the surgery, which is usually about two years until the patient is back to full strength and effectiveness.
Soria, in the meantime, set a Tigers club record with nine saves in April, a number that obviously leads the league this season, as well.
