Joe Nathan

Six-time All-Star Joe Nathan, who is eighth on the all-time list with 377 saves, has decided at age 42 to retire.

The Texas Rangers signed closer Joe Nathan to a 2-year contract with a club option for 2014. He'll make $7 Million in 2012 and 2013 and $9 Million in a club option in 2014. Nathan was 2-1 with 4.84 ERA with the Twins in 2011 with 14 saves in 48 appearances.

Joe Nathan and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for 2014, a move that means closer Neftali Feliz will shift to the starting rotation.

The Twins have declined the club option worth $12.6 Million on closer Joe Nathan. Twins General Manager Bill Smith says the team is interested in bringing him back for less money. Nathan receives $2 Million in the buyout when the option was declined.

The Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-2 Wednesday night to end their 6-game losing streak. Jim Thome went 2-4 with 2 RBIs including a RBI double in the Twins' 3-run 8th inning. Minnesota broke the 2-all tie with 3 runs in the 8th. Glen Perkins allowed a solo homerun to David Ortiz in the 8th inning but got the win in relief and Joe Nathan threw a scoreless 9th inning for his 9th save this season.

The Twins scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th inning to beat Texas 9-8 Tuesday night. Joe Mauer had the pinch-hit RBI double to score the go-ahead run in the 9th. Tsuyoshi Nishioka had 2 RBIs including the game-tying RBI in the 9th. Ben Revere and Delmon Young were each 2-4 with a run scored for Minnesota.

The Twins lost 4-3 at Tampa Bay Saturday afternoon. Joe Nathan blew his 2nd save of the season when Ben Zobrist hit a solo homerun off Nathan to lead off the 9th inning. Jose Mijares replaced Nathan and gave up a RBI single to Johnny Damon to end the game later in the 9th. Minnesota led 3-2 entering the bottom of the 9th.

The Twins had 2 blown saves in their 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida Thursday night. Matt Joyce doubled off Joe Nathan in the 9th inning to tie the game at 2 apiece before Danny Valencia hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to give the Twins a 3-2 lead. Johnny Damon hit a 2-run homerun off Matt Capps in the 10th inning to win the game.

The Twins escaped Toronto Sunday with a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays to avoid a 3-game sweep. Joe Nathan recorded his first save of the season despite allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run in the 9th inning. Adam Lind grounded out to first base to end the game. Nick Blackburn started the game for the Twins and threw 5 2/3 innings with 6 hits and 1 earned run allowed to get the win. Both Denard Span and Danny Valencia hit solo homeruns for Minnesota and Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Matt Tolbert had 1 hit and 1 RBI.

The Twins split a pair of spring training games in Florida Sunday. The split squad Twins beat the Yankees in Tampa, Florida 9-2 behind Brian Dinkleman's 3-run homerun. Denard Span added 3 hits and 2 runs scored and Luke Hughes was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. Scott Baker threw 4 innings with 2 hits and 1 earned run allowed to get the win.