Joe Nathan declined an invitation to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Nathan is 38 years old and two years removed from Tommy John surgery, so his primary focus is pitching for the Rangers. "I respectfully declined," Nathan told ESPN Dallas via text. "It was a huge honor to be asked and I feel good, but I want to do right by the Rangers."

Joe Nathan (arm) tossed a flawless inning of relief Wednesday in the Rangers' win over the Angels.

Nathan had been sidelined several days with right arm fatigue but appeared plenty well-rested while fanning one and issuing no walks or hits. The veteran right-hander boasts a 2.78 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 71/9 K/BB ratio in 58 1/3 innings this season as the Rangers' ninth-inning man.

Joe Nathan returned to action on Wednesday September 19.

Joe Nathan (arm) expects to be available Tuesday.

Nathan sat out this weekend because of what's being described as a slight dead arm phase. "Either way, I'll have to pitch through it," said the veteran righty. "It's good to get a mini-break and then get back at it." He has a 2.83 ERA in 57 1/3 total innings this season.

Joe Nathan is unavailable for a second straight day Saturday.

Nathan is getting a bit of a break after pitching in three straight games. There's no word of an injury and he should be ready if needed on Sunday. Alexi Ogando would presumably get the ball in a save situation Saturday.

Joe Nathan is unavailable Friday after pitching three days in a row.

Mike Adams is also unavailable as he nurses a sore right trap muscle. Alexi Ogando would get the ball in a save situation Friday against the Mariners.

Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday morning that he plans to use Joe Nathan only in save situations moving forward.

Nathan closed out Tuesday's win over the Red Sox, but Washington said he would have used Alexi Ogando if the Rangers had a four-run lead. "I changed my thinking," said Washington. "If we happen to get a bigger lead, with the workload Joe has had, I'm going to try and stay away from him. I'm going to try to save every bullet we can for him for as long as we hope we will be going." Nathan is feeling much better after receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder over the weekend, but the Rangers are going to monitor his workload the rest of the way.

Rangers skipper Ron Washington stated on Friday that Joe Nathan would not pitch on Friday, and may sit the entire weekend in order to "get fresh".

Nathan has not been the same since a two-inning outing on July 7th, and Washington wants to exercise caution with his shutdown closer. Since that point, he's registered an 8.22 ERA and allowed three home runs over eight outings, spanning 7 2/3 innings. Look for Mike Adams to get the call should a save opportunity arise on Friday.

Joe Nathan had one of his worst appearances as a Ranger on Wednesday, but came home with a win in Texas' 11-10, 10-inning triumph over the Angels.

Tasked with keeping the game 7-7 in the 10th, Nathan allowed three runs on two hits, both of which were home runs. One came off the bat of Albert Pujols, the other Chris Iannetta. Nevertheless, he earned the "win" when Texas answered with four tallies in the bottom half of the frame. Despite the awful night, Nathan still owns a 2.76 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and sparkling 50/7 K/BB ratio through 42 1/3 innings and 42 appearances.

Joe Nathan tossed a perfect ninth inning Tuesday against the Tigers to notch his 17th save of the season.

Nathan struck out two batters. It's been a remarkable bounce-back season for the veteran closer, as he boasts a 1.99 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and ridiculous 39/3 K/BB ratio over 31 2/3 innings. Nathan hasn't blown a save since April 11, which is the lone time he's coughed up a lead this year. His velocity is back and so is high upper-level fantasy value.

Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his 12th save on Tuesday against the A's.

He gave up a hit and struck out a batter. A little faith can go a long way, apparently. Rangers skipper Ron Washington stuck by the veteran closer after Nathan allowed four runs over his first four appearances as a Ranger. Since that point -- April 11th, to be exact, the date of his only blown save -- Nathan has allowed just one run over 20 innings. Nathan currently has a 1.90 ERA that continues to plummet. His velocity is back and so is high upper-level fantasy value.

Joe Nathan was sitting between 95-96 mph with his fastball on Wednesday against the A's.

Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says that's something Nathan "hasn't done since 2006-2007." The veteran reliever has settled in to the Rangers' ninth-inning role and should be a top-tier closer in fantasy leagues by the end of the 2012 campaign.

Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation Saturday against the Twins.

It was Nathan's first appearance since he gave up three runs in a blown save Wednesday against the Mariners. He allowed a single to Justin Morneau and a double to Josh Willingham to begin the inning, but struck out Ryan Doumit and Danny Valencia before getting Chris Parmelee to ground out to end it. Mike Adams and Alexi Ogando handled the last two save opportunities as Nathan was getting some extra rest, but his closer job is not any jeopardy at the moment.

Joe Nathan was given his second straight day off Friday, but Rangers' manager Ron Washington said that his closer job is not in jeopardy.

Mike Adams closed out Thursday's game and Alexi Ogando got the call on Friday, but Washington insists that Nathan is just getting extra rest after throwing 27 pitches as part of a blown save on Wednesday. "He had a big workload the last time out there, and we decided to give him one more," said Washington. "He'll be back in there tomorrow."

The Rangers will stick with Joe Nathan as closer.

Nathan's Ranger career has gotten off to a rocky start. The veteran has the club's only two losses and a 9.00 ERA. Texas isn't going to panic, but Mike Adams deserves a chance to close at some point. "Joe Nathan is proven and he's going to get his opportunity with the Texas Rangers to prove he can close games," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "I don't want him looking over his back. I don't want him doubting himself. I'm telling you guys right now he's my closer and when he's ready to go again he's going to get the ball."

Joe Nathan retired the heart of the Mariners lineup in order on Tuesday to pick up his second save of the season.

Nathan only needed nine pitches to retire Ichiro Suzuki, Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager in order. He's been very impressive so far this season and maintains that everything feels great with his surgically repaired elbow. Don't be surprised if he posts vintage numbers, similar to his great seasons in Minnesota.

Joe Nathan said he could pitch Sunday if needed, which would be his third consecutive day with an appearance.

Coming off Tommy John surgery last season, Nathan didn't throw in three consecutive days even once in 2011. "Everything feels great," Nathan said. "The last two nights I didn't really tax my arm too much, so I can go." It's good news for the veteran's fantasy owners that Nathan is prepared to take the ball more often this season. Durability is still an issue, however.

Joe Nathan protected a one-run lead with a perfect ninth Friday against the White Sox.

It was his first save for Texas after 260 with the Twins (and one with the Giants) Nathan gave up eight runs in seven innings this spring, taking three losses in the process, but the Rangers are still showing plenty of confidence in him, publicly at least. He got the job done today, retiring Alexei Ramirez, Dayan Viciedo and Gordon Beckham in order.

Joe Nathan is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the White Sox.

Nathan is throwing without any restrictions this spring and isn't worried about his surgically-repaired elbow. The 37-year-old right-hander signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Rangers in November and is expected to serve as the team's closer this season with Neftali Feliz moving to the starting rotation.

Rangers signed RHP Joe Nathan to a two-year, $14 million contract with a $9 million club option for 2014.

Nathan agreed to the deal and took his physical in Texas on Monday night, then got introduced at a press conference Tuesday morning. The 37-year-old will take over at closer for the Rangers with Neftali Feliz transitioning to the starting rotation. Nathan found his groove in the second half of the 2011 season and should be able to ride that momentum into a solid 2012. He'll be a coveted fantasy closer once again.