Joe Nathan, who has recorded the most saves in Minnesota Twins history, will get another shot at the World Series.
The closer, who had what was feared to be career-ending Tommy John surgery in 2015, has been called up to the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen having impressed during a minor league assignment.
MLB.com reports Nathan was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in May and placed on the 60-day disabled list, having only pitched a single out for the Detroit Tigers in 2015.
“The velocity is solid and the break has gotten better on the breaking ball, better form on the breaking ball,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said on Saturday. “He did his 30 days [for the rehab assignment], and it sounds like he’s ready to rock and roll and he’ll be here.”
The 41-year-old won’t be used as a closer, MLB notes, instead being used in middle-inning situations.
He has recorded 377 saves during his illustrious career, 260 of them with the Twins between 2004 and 2011, when he averaged 37 saves a year.
His saves came from 460 games during which he pitched with a 2.16 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP and 561 strikeouts, according to Twins.com.
The Cubs currently have the best record in the National League at 58-38, and are hotly tipped to make it to this year’s World Series.
