GM Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that he expects Nathan to open 2015 as the Tigers' closer, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports. Dombrowski added the caveat that performance will ultimately dictate roles, but it sounds like he's confident the 39-year-old right-hander will secure the ninth-inning job in the spring. Despite an absolutely dismal first half from Nathan (5.61 ERA), the Tigers stuck with him as closer all year, resulting his ninth 35-plus save campaign in his last 10 seasons.