Nathan (elbow/forearm) threw a light bullpen session Wednesday, The Detroit News reports. Nathan isn't expected to miss much time, and he may even be ready after the minimum 15 days. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said the 40-year-old will pick up right where he left off in the closer's role, which is currently being filled by Joakim Soria.

Nathan (elbow) is expected to resume the closer role when he's reactivated from the DL, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Nathan landed on the disabled list last week with a right elbow flexor strain and appears to be on track to return as soon as he's eligible. Joakim Soria has been closing in his stead, but manager Brad Ausmus indicated the plan for now is to reinsert Nathan when he's healthy. The 40-year-old picked up the save in his lone appearances in 2015.

Nathan (elbow) played catch on the field Wednesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. Nathan was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of the elbow flexor last week, but hopes to be ready when first eligible to come off the disabled list. He took a step in the right direction Wednesday, but will have to continue progressing without setbacks if that is to be the case.

Nathan said Friday he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of the elbow flexor, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Shortly after Nathan hit the DL on Wednesday, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told MLive.com that the team was "hopeful he will be fine at the end of that 15 days." While Nathan also seems optimistic with the diagnosis of a Grade 1 strain, he will not be allowed to pick up a baseball until the tightness is completely gone. Joakim Soria will get a chance to hold down the closer role in Detroit in the meantime.

Nathan has been placed on the DL with a flexor strain, Fox Sports Detroit's Tom Gage reports. This is rough news for Nathan's owners, but excellent news for those who grabbed Joakim Soria at the end of drafts. It's hard to say how much time Nathan will miss, but any injury to the forearm like this could always lead to something much worse. Consider Nathan out indefinitely and look for Soria to immediately jump into the closer's role in Detroit.

Nathan delivered an efficient, four-pitch save Monday to seal a 4-0 victory over the Twins. Four pitches, three for strikes including a called third on what former Tigers' outfielder Torii Hunter thought was a checked swing. You can't get much more efficient than that.

Nathan (thumb) is available to pitch Monday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. He was held out of action over the weekend, due in part to a planned period of rest, but also because of an apparently minor issue with a cut on his thumb. Nathan's leash as the Tigers' closer is shorter than ever, while Joakim Soria has pitched very well since mid-March.

Nathan had a thumbnail issue after his most recent appearance Thursday against the Orioles, the Tigers' official site reports. Nathan's thumbnail was cutting into his thumb, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Upon the completion of his outing, Nathan had blood on his pants, and it's believed that he was having difficulty gripping the ball. Command has been a problem for Nathan this spring, while his fastball was clocked at 89-90 mph during Friday's appearance. Nathan was scheduled for three straight off-days following Thursday's appearance anyway (he had pitched on consecutive days), and the hope is that he'll be ready to pitch again early this week. Ausmus told reporters that there is no late-spring competition for the closer role, though it should be noted that Joakim Soria picked up the save Friday and that he hasn't allowed a baserunner since March 12.

Nathan tossed a scoreless fifth inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Braves. After giving up a pair of hits in a scoreless spring debut Tuesday, Nathan struck out one and needed just five pitches to record his three outs Saturday. He's on track to open the season as the Tigers' closer, albeit with much less leash than he worked with in 2014.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said that Nathan looked good while throwing fastballs and sliders during a bullpen session Wednesday, the Detroit News reports. Poor mechanics were blamed for Nathan's struggles last season, as it took the veteran closer several months to lower his arm slot. If Nathan is more comfortable with the adjustments heading into 2015, he may be able to rebound enough to stave off Joakim Soria, Bruce Rondon, and Joba Chamberlain from the ninth-inning role this season.