Detroit Tigers: Closer Joe Nathan is out for rest of 2015 season

As the saying goes, be care what you wish for.

Detroit Tigers closer Joe Nathan will miss the rest of the 2015 season due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament and flexor pronator tear in his right elbow according to MLive.com.

Nathan originally suffered a Grade 1 flexor strain on Opening Day, but the thought was he would return to the team by this weekend. Nathan was scheduled to throw 25 pitches in a rehab appearance in Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, but he only threw 10 pitches before exiting. As Nathan left the field, he was holding his right elbow.

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For the second time in his 17-year career, the 40-year-old will need Tommy John Surgery.

Of course, Tigers fans never wished for Nathan to suffer such a serious injury, but there has been much debate about who should be the Tigers closer once Nathan returned to the team. Joakim Soria has taken over the closer role and in his last five appearances, he hasn’t allowed a run and earned four saves and one victory.

Detroit fans who wanted Soria to remain the team’s closer are getting their wish, but there is no denying Nathan’s injury hurts the depth of the Tigers bullpen.

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