Joe Nathan needed just 13 pitches to slam the door on the Astros in the ninth inning on Monday, preserving a 2-0 victory for the Tigers. Nathan secured his sixth save of the season for his efforts. He did allow a leadoff walk to Dexter Fowler, but he was gunned down attempting to steal second base. The veteran right-hander now sports a 4.63 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 12/6 K/BB ratio through his first 11 2/3 frames.

Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth inning against the White Sox for his fifth save of the season Tuesday. Protecting a one-run lead, Nathan retired Alejandro De Aza, Tyler Flowers and pinch hitter Paul Konerko to preserve the victory. It was Nathan's fifth save in seven chances, and he has converted four straight opportunities since suffering his second blown save on April 9.

Joe Nathan worked a hitless ninth inning on Thursday for his fourth save of the year. Nathan has allowed one run in five innings since complaining of a dead arm earlier this month. He's also converted his last three save chances after blowing two of the first three.

Joe Nathan said his arm felt "a lot livelier" while recording a save during a perfect inning Thursday. Nathan admitted last week that he was going through a "dead arm" phase, but it sounds like it could be behind him. "Today was more how I felt, being able to finish," Nathan said Thursday. "My velocity is what it's going to be, but moreso I was locating where I wanted to. But it did feel like it was a lot livelier. There's different 91s, different 92s, but today, at least finishing pitches, it felt like it was jumping out of my hand better."

Joe Nathan imploded Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks. Entering a 6-3 game, Nathan coughed up a leadoff homer to Adrian Gonzalez and then walked Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp consecutively. Juan Uribe moved both up with a single that loaded the bases with no outs. Nathan struck out pinch-hitter Yasiel Puig, and then induced a Scott Van Slyke fielder's choice ground out to third that plated Ethier. Dee Gordon's single tied the affair and Nathan mercilessly watched as Carl Crawford's bloop fly ended up in Rajai Davis' glove. The 39-year-old told the media he had "dead arm" before Wednesday's game, commenting: "It's not even newsworthy." Perhaps he's unaware that the alternate explanation for his struggles is far worse -- the end always comes unexpectedly. It's too early to say, obviously, but Nathan owns a 12.27 ERA and 2.73 WHIP over his first four outings. Because of baseball's antiquated way of awarding wins, fantasy owners can at least take solace in his 2-0 record, including the victory tonight.

Joe Nathan suffered his first blown save as a Tiger Wednesday, allowing a run on a hit and two walks. Nathan looked a little off from the get-go in this appearance. Trying to protect a 1-0 lead, he gave up a one-out single and then issued back-to-back walks before an Alex Gordon sac fly tied the game. Nathan then committed a balk but was able to escape further damage before the Tigers eventually won in the 10th. He showed last season that he can get by with diminished velocity, but Nathan will have to have better command than he did in this one.

Joe Nathan gave up four runs in one-third of an inning Sunday to take a loss in relief. Nathan's velocity hasn't been the greatest this spring, but that's typical for him; he usually dials it up a bit once the season gets started. Despite that, he had allowed just two hits in six scoreless innings prior to today. We're unconcerned.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Joe Nathan's two-year contract with the Tigers is worth around $20 million. Nathan declined his $9.5 million option with the Rangers after the season in hopes of finding a multi-year deal in free agency. Not only did he find it with Detroit, but he's also getting more money per year. It's well deserved after he posted a 2.09 ERA over the past two seasons.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers will give a two-year deal to Joe Nathan. Exact terms aren't yet available. It's not often that you see a two-year deal for a 39-year-old closer, but Nathan has been in near-vintage form after making his way back from Tommy John surgery. He'll remain one of the top fantasy closers on a talented team in Detroit.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers are close to signing closer Joe Nathan. No word on the terms involved. The Tigers have been a logical fit all along, but the Doug Fister deal cleared the appropriate salary to get a deal done. Nathan has posted a 2.09 ERA over the past two seasons while going 80-for-86 in save chances, so he should be an upgrade in the closer role for Detroit.