Matt Capps is currently set to be the Twins' closer, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune's La Velle E. Neal III.

Joe Nathan, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, is expected to throw off the mound later this month in preparation for spring training. We fully expect him to get his closer job back once he's up to speed, so even though Capps is technically considered the closer for now, that seems likely to change before the season begins.

Twins general manager Bill Smith said it's "not at all" a question whether Matt Capps will be tendered a contract this winter.

The Twins traded away Wilson Ramos in order to acquire Capps, so they aren't about to dump him after a couple months. It's worth nothing, though, that his salary will balloon well past the $3.5 million he earned in 2010. Capps, 27, posted a 2.47 ERA and 42 saves in 48 chances between the Nationals and Twins this past season. He's worth keeping around for now, but we wonder what Twins fans will be saying if Joe Nathan comes back at full strength.

Matt Capps is available to pitch Friday against the Tigers.

Capps was unavailable to pitch Thursday due to soreness from appearing in back-to-back games.

Matt Capps earned his seventh save as a Twin by tossing a scoreless ninth inning in a 4-3 win over the Tigers on Tuesday night.

Capps allowed a leadoff single but buckled down to retire three straight batters. In 14 appearances since his arrival in late July from the Nationals, the big right-hander has a 1.93 ERA and seven saves. He's a solid fantasy closer on the first-place Twins.

Matt Capps blew his sixth save of the season on Tuesday night, allowing a run in the ninth, but was bailed out as the Twins rallied to beat the White Sox 7-6 in 10 innings.

The outing had the making of a disaster, but circumstances conspired to save Capps. He allowed three hits and a walk and after blowing the one-run lead had the bases loaded against him with just one out. Fortunately, he coaxed an inning-ending double play out of Paul Konerko to send it to extras. Capps has blown two saves for the Twins but has a 1.80 ERA since his arrival from the Nationals.

Coming off a blown save Wednesday, Matt Capps recorded a win Thursday bu pitching 1 1/3 hitless innings.

Capps entered a tie game and struck B.J. Upton out to end the Rays' six-run eighth inning. He then stayed in to pitch a scoreless bottom of the ninth after the Twins scored twice in the top of the inning. He has a 2.25 ERA for his new team. Since Capps has now worked three straight days, it's possible Jon Rauch will get a save chance Friday, though that depends on whether he's overcome his blister issues.

Matt Capps blew his first save as a member of the Twins on Wednesday night, but was bailed out as Minnesota beat the Rays in 13 innings.

Jon Rauch was unavailable tonight due to a rash on his throwing hand, but Capps would have gotten the opportunity anyway. Capps' leash is longer than just this one bad night anyway. Rauch is the setup man.

Matt Capps earned his first save as a Twin by tossing a scoreless ninth inning in a 5-3 win over the Mariners on Friday night.

He gave up a Chone Figgins single up the middle but also struck out a batter in his Minnesota debut. The Twins acquired Capps from the Nationals for catcher Wilson Ramos and lefty Joe Testa on Thursday. Capps produced a 2.74 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with the Nats while converting 26 of 30 save chances. He's now Minnesota's undisputed closer, while Jon Rauch has been bumped to a setup role.

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Matt Capps will close for the Twins, bumping Jon Rauch to a setup role.

It's not that surprising given that Capps has posted slightly better numbers this season and Rauch has struggled as of late, but it's a major hit to the latter's fantasy value. Capps was acquired from the Nationals on Thursday evening for catcher Wilson Ramos and lefty Joe Testa. He's thrown up a 2.74 ERA and 1.30 WHIP this season while converting 26 of 30 save chances.

Twins acquired RHP Matt Capps from the Nationals for catcher Wilson Ramos and LHP Joe Testa.

What in the world did Twin GM Bill Smith just do? Ramos has struggled at the Triple-A level this season and has no future with the Joe Mauer-led Twins, but to deal a top catching prospect for a middle relief rental seems misguided. Nonetheless, Capps is headed north and should add a touch of consistency to the Twins' bullpen. He converted 26 of 30 save opportunities for the Nats and could get a shot at closing if Jon Rauch's struggles continue into August.

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune heard from a source that Wilson Ramos is headed to the Nationals, presumably in exchange for Matt Capps.

Ramos isn't exactly hitting the cover off the ball at Triple-A Rochseter this season. In fact, he has an ugly .241/.280/.345 batting line over 278 at-bats. But he's widely regarded as one of the top catching prospects in the majors and it's odd that the Twins would ship him off for a relief rental. Capps, 26, has converted 26 of 30 save opportunities this season and could either slide into a setup role in Minnesota or overtake Jon Rauch's ninth-inning gig.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Twins and Nationals are "in discussions" about a possible trade for right-hander reliever Matt Capps.

ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian first broke news of the Twins' interest in Capps on Tuesday, and it appears that talks have since progressed. Capps, 26, has posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.30 WHIP this season while converting 26 of 30 save opportunities. He could spell Jon Rauch at closer in Minnesota, or at least provide the Twins with another quality setup option. The Nats are motivated to move him because he is making $3.5 million this season and is due for a raise via salary arbitration heading into 2011.

According to ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian, the Twins have expressed interest in Nationals closer Matt Capps.

The Nats are known to be asking a lot for Capps, but that could change as the July 31 deadline draws closer. He's making $3.5 million this season and can earn himself a raise next season through the arbitration process, so Washington GM Mike Rizzo and Co. would be wise to move him. The Twins are on the hunt for a reliable back-end reliever and Capps certainly fits that bill. Trading him would allow the Nationals to hand ninth-inning duties over to top relief prospect and 2009 first-round pick Drew Storen.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that rival executives believe the Nationals will trade Matt Capps.

Capps, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Nats in January after being non-tendered by the Pirates, has been one of the best off-season bargains in baseball. He's eligible for arbitration in the winter and Olney poses a prudent question: Will Washington pay him $6-7 million next season? With Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard on the roster, that would appear doubtful. Capps has produced 24 saves and a 2.93 ERA in 44 appearances. Storen would likely be his replacement if he's dealt.

Matt Capps understands that his name will come up in trade rumors this month.

"The Nationals have been first class to me from Day 1," said Capps, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Nats in January after being non-tendered by the Pirates in December. "I have really enjoyed my time. I hope to make it a much longer time. But at the same time, I understand that it's a business and if the organization feels like it can improve themselves by what they get in return for me, they have to do that." If the Nationals do in fact decide to trade Capps, they are expected to replace him with 2009 first-round pick Drew Storen.

Matt Capps notched his first save since June 9 in a 2-1 win over the Royals on Monday night.

In fact, he only had two appearances over the past 11 days entering Monday's action. Capps still holds the major league lead with 21 saves, but Brian Wilson and Neftali Feliz are nipping at his heels with 19 each.

Matt Capps was held out of Thursday's save chance in part because of sore left knee.

His heavy workload of late seemed like reason enough to give him a breather, but there was an injury involved, too. It sounds like Capps will be available tonight, but if not, Tyler Clippard could get another save chance.

Matt Capps earned his 20th save of the season against the Pirates on Wednesday night with relative ease.

Capps got a vote of confidence from his manager on Sunday and has since looked good in closing two games. He gave up a one-out double to Garrett Jones tonight, but wasn't otherwise threatened. Capps has earned some solid slack as he continues to hold off Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman has no intentions of removing Matt Capps from the closer's role.

Capps produced a 5.73 ERA in 12 appearances last month and has already blown three saves and allowed eight runs -- three earned -- over four appearances in June. He leads the majors with 18 saves, but his ERA has ballooned to 3.62. "He's throwing the ball well," Riggleman said. "He just has to make an adjustment with his sliders. He can't just have his fastball going. I haven't really thought about anything like [taking Capps out of the closer's role]." Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen are next in line for saves, if Riggleman were to ever change his mind.

Matt Capps blew his fourth save of the season by allowing three runs to the Reds in Sunday's 4-3 loss.

It seemed almost inconceivable in early May that Capps would have job-security issues this year, but one month later he's moving closer to jettisoned from the role. Capps posted a 0.68 ERA in 12 April appearances, a 5.73 ERA in 12 May outings, and has now blown three saves and allowed eight runs -- three earned -- in four appearances this month. Capps was given a dreaded vote of confidence from manager Manny Acta on Friday and we'll now wait for further word from the skipper. If Capps was yanked, Tyler Clippard is likely first-in-line for saves, with Drew Storen closely behind.