Matt Capps blew his first save of the season in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Tigers.

He also took his second loss. Tasked with protecting a 3-2 lead, Capps allowed a leadoff single to Quintin Berry before serving up a one-out, two-run bomb to Miguel Cabrera. A bad afternoon, but not an outing that is going to cost Capps his job. He's the owner of a 4.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 9/1 K/BB ratio through his first 18 innings and 18 appearances.

Matt Capps notched his ninth save of the season in the Twins victory over the Brewers on Saturday.

Question: Which do you find more surprising? Minnesota's four-game winning streak or the fact that Capps has lowered his ERA from 5.63 to 3.38 in May? While you ponder that, consider that Capps hasn't walked a batter and has given up just four hits over eight innings this month. Capps is nobody's idea of a dominant closer, but he's yet to blow a save this season and has a spectacular 0.88 WHIP.

Summoned in the ninth inning of a tie game on Monday, Matt Capps gave up the winning run to fall to 0-2.

He yielded two singles sandwiched around a costly wild pitch. Capps had been nearly perfect in five May appearances and has yet to blow a save opportunity in seven chances.

Matt Capps picked up his fourth save of the season in the Twins victory over the Rays on Friday.

Rather than his typical roller coaster ride, Capps set down the Rays in order on just nine pitches. While not the most dominant reliever in the league, Capps proved once again that he can still be a solid source of saves.

Matt Capps walked the tight rope Thursday against the Angels by giving up two runs on three hits, but managed to escape with a save.

The Angels actually had the tying run on second base with two outs, but Capps was able to get Chris Iannetta to ground out to third base to end it. The 28-year-old right-hander was surprisingly brought back over the winter, despite posting a 4.25 ERA and a career-low 4.7 K/9 last season. He's being trusted with the ninth-inning again this season, but we wouldn't be surprised if Glen Perkins eventually grabs the job.

Matt Capps blew a save by giving up a two-run homer to Tampa Bay's Cody Rogers on Monday.

This isn't the best of signs. Rogers, for what it's worth, had a .725 OPS in the Midwest League last year. Capps would seem to be, at best, Minnesota's third most effective reliever behind lefties Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing. The closer's role will be his initially, but he may not own it for long.

Matt Capps gave up a homer to Rafael Furcal in the fifth inning and took a loss to the Cardinals on Friday.

Capps figures to open the season as the Twins' closer, but he doesn't figure to be the team's best or even second-best reliever. Maybe they'll eventually give Glen Perkins a look in that role; he's already locked up to a cheap deal and they have a quality second lefty in Brian Duensing.

Twins signed RHP Matt Capps to a one-year, $4.5 million contract with a club option for 2013.

The club option is worth $6 million and includes a $250,000 buyout. Capps struggled miserably in the closer's role with the Twins this past season, posting a 4.25 ERA while blowing nine saves, but he's a pretty decent bet to bounce back in 2012. That said, he'll likely be one of the last closers off the board in mixed leagues.

Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reports that Matt Capps will receive $4.5 million from the Twins in 2012, and the Twins have a $6 million option with a $250,000 buyout for 2013.

It's a little steep, but at least it's only one guaranteed year. If Capps bounces back as the Twins expect him to, he'll probably be worth $4.5 million. The right-hander fell out of favor during a down 2011 season, posting a 4.25 ERA while blowing nine saves.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Matt Capps has re-signed with the Twins on a one-year deal that includes an option for 2013.

It's not clear if the Twins plan on using him as their closer, but he would probably be the top in-house option at this point. Capps posted a disappointing 4.25 ERA, nine blown saves and a 34/13 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings in 2011, but he's just a year removed from an All-Star season. Giving him a year plus an option isn't a bad move if the financials are reasonable.

Steve Popper of the the Bergen Record reports that Matt Capps is expected to re-sign with the Twins.

It's not being reported anywhere else, so we'd hold off on etching this one in stone. Capps suffered through a rough 2011 season that saw him blow nine saves, but he's been reliable in the past and the Twins might view him as their best option for the ninth inning now that Joe Nathan is out of town.

Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reports that the Blue Jays have contacted the agents for free agent closers Matt Capps and Francisco Cordero.

The Blue Jays have cast a wide net in their search for a closer, even exploring trades for Huston Street of the Rockies and Andrew Bailey of the Athletics. Elliott writes that Heath Bell is "the best fit for the Jays as he is the best on the market," though the level of their interest isn't clear. The 34-year-old right-hander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Matt Capps' agent Paul Kinzer said he hasn't heard from the Mets since the general managers' meetings earlier this month.

The Mets had previously told him that they had "possible" interest, but they are playing their offseason plans pretty close to the vest. We should learn a lot more over the next week as teams prepare for the Winter Meetings. As for Capps, he has drawn interest from multiple teams this offseason, including the Angels, Red Sox and Twins.

Matt Capps will not be offered arbitration by the Twins.

Capps earned $7.15 million this season while posting a disappointing 4.25 ERA, nine blown saves and a 34/13 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings. While the Twins didn't want to risk the chance that he would accept arbitration, they are still interested in bringing him back at a lesser salary. The new CBA bumped Capps from a Type A to a Type B free agent and while the Twins didn't offer him arbitration, they would receive a sandwich pick if he signs with another team.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan acknowledged Tuesday that he hasn't dismissed bringing Matt Capps back as closer.

"Yeah, he'd be an option," said Ryan. "We know he had a difficult year last year, but he certainly was good two years ago." Capps, 28, posted a 4.25 ERA and blown nine saves this season, but the Twins might be willing to give him another chance now that Joe Nathan has signed with the Rangers. According to John Shipley of The Pioneer Press, the two sides spoke Tuesday morning.

Matt Capps' agent Paul Kinzer said Monday that the Mets have expressed interest in his client.

The Twins are also expected to attempt to re-sign him. Capps' agent suspects that the 28-year-old right-hander will be able to find a ninth-inning gig, but he failed in that role with Minnesota and New York isn't going to fork over closer-type money.

The Twins have expressed interest in re-signing Matt Capps.

Capps' agent Paul Kinzer said Monday that new Twins general manager Terry Ryan recently reached out expressing his interest. Capps, 28, posted a 4.25 ERA and 34/13 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings with the Twins this season. He went 15-for-24 in save opportunities and lost his closer's job to Joe Nathan after the All-Star break. Kinzer said he has received "lots of calls" on Capps, though we imagine he'll likely go where he'll have the best chance at closing games again. That probably won't happen in Minnesota.

Matt Capps has been removed from the closer role in favor of Joe Nathan.

It's about time. Capps blew his seventh save on Friday when he gave up a two-run homer to the Royals' Eric Hosmer. Capps will head back to setup and middle relief carrying an unimpressive 4.76 ERA over 39 2/3 innings.

With the Twins milking a 1-0 lead against the Royals in the ninth inning on Friday, Matt Capps blew his seventh save, serving up a two-run homer to rookie Eric Hosmer.

That should about do it for Minnesota's beleaguered "stopper," who is now the not-so-proud owner of a 4.76 ERA through his first 39 2/3 innings over 38 appearances this season. Rather amazingly, his most recent strikeout came on June 27, which was nine appearances and 7 2/3 innings ago. Joe Nathan is a good bet to take the mound in the Twins' next save situation.

Matt Capps pitched a perfect ninth inning Friday against the White Sox to record his 14th save of the season.

Capps needed just six pitches to dispose of the White Sox in order to finish off the 8-5 win. Despite being removed from his last two save chances, it's pretty clear that, at least at the moment, Capps is still at the top of the pecking order for saves in Minnesota. Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless eighth inning in front of him Friday and would likely take over if Capps hits another rough patch.