Nathan (elbow) exited his rehab assignment early Wednesday after appearing to tweak something, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Nathan was expected to rejoin the team Friday, but a setback could push his return date back. He reportedly winced following a pitch to his third batter of the inning and was removed immediately. An update on his status is likely forthcoming, but the Friday return now appears more bleak.

Nathan (elbow) will make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, and he expects to rejoin the Tigers for Friday's game against the Indians, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

While Nathan won't quite make it back after the 15-day minimum, he's only a couple of days behind. Joakim Soria has done well in the closer's role, converting all five of his save opportunities for the team with baseball's best record. Should Nathan suffer through a stretch of poor performances, the Tigers might be more inclined to make a change, having now seen Soria handle the role well.

Nathan (elbow) threw his a bullpen session Monday, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.

Nathan threw off a mound Saturday, but Monday was his first full bullpen since landing on the disabled list two weeks ago with a flexor strain. The closer is eligible to be activated from the DL on Wednesday, but it appears as though he may need more than just the minimum 15 days before coming back.

Nathan (elbow) may not be ready to be activated from the disabled list when first eligible Wednesday, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.

Nathan was able to throw off a mound Saturday, but the Tigers would still like to see their veteran reliever work in a simulated game or rehab appearance before activating him. Joakim Soria, who is a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities, will continue to close games until Nathan is healthy enough for a return.

Nathan (elbow) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Saturday and reported no soreness, MLive.com reports.

Nathan showed up to the park Saturday expecting to just throw long toss, but the Tigers returned him to elevated ground and everything went smoothly. Next up will be a full bullpen session Monday. While Nathan will be eligible to return from the DL on Wednesday, he declined to speculate as to whether he will return that day, saying "I assume they would want me to get some game action to make sure (I'm ready)." Manager Brad Ausmus has indicated Nathan will reclaim the closer role from Joakim Soria once healthy.

Nathan (elbow/forearm) threw a light bullpen session Wednesday, The Detroit News reports.

Nathan isn't expected to miss much time, and he may even be ready after the minimum 15 days. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said the 40-year-old will pick up right where he left off in the closer's role, which is currently being filled by Joakim Soria.

Nathan (elbow) is expected to resume the closer role when he's reactivated from the DL, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Nathan landed on the disabled list last week with a right elbow flexor strain and appears to be on track to return as soon as he's eligible. Joakim Soria has been closing in his stead, but manager Brad Ausmus indicated the plan for now is to reinsert Nathan when he's healthy. The 40-year-old picked up the save in his lone appearances in 2015.

Nathan (elbow) played catch on the field Wednesday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Nathan was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of the elbow flexor last week, but hopes to be ready when first eligible to come off the disabled list. He took a step in the right direction Wednesday, but will have to continue progressing without setbacks if that is to be the case.

Nathan said Friday he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of the elbow flexor, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Shortly after Nathan hit the DL on Wednesday, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told MLive.com that the team was "hopeful he will be fine at the end of that 15 days." While Nathan also seems optimistic with the diagnosis of a Grade 1 strain, he will not be allowed to pick up a baseball until the tightness is completely gone. Joakim Soria will get a chance to hold down the closer role in Detroit in the meantime.

Nathan has been placed on the DL with a flexor strain, Fox Sports Detroit's Tom Gage reports.

This is rough news for Nathan's owners, but excellent news for those who grabbed Joakim Soria at the end of drafts. It's hard to say how much time Nathan will miss, but any injury to the forearm like this could always lead to something much worse. Consider Nathan out indefinitely and look for Soria to immediately jump into the closer's role in Detroit.

Nathan delivered an efficient, four-pitch save Monday to seal a 4-0 victory over the Twins.

Four pitches, three for strikes including a called third on what former Tigers' outfielder Torii Hunter thought was a checked swing. You can't get much more efficient than that.

Nathan (thumb) is available to pitch Monday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

He was held out of action over the weekend, due in part to a planned period of rest, but also because of an apparently minor issue with a cut on his thumb. Nathan's leash as the Tigers' closer is shorter than ever, while Joakim Soria has pitched very well since mid-March.

Nathan had a thumbnail issue after his most recent appearance Thursday against the Orioles, the Tigers' official site reports.

Nathan's thumbnail was cutting into his thumb, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Upon the completion of his outing, Nathan had blood on his pants, and it's believed that he was having difficulty gripping the ball. Command has been a problem for Nathan this spring, while his fastball was clocked at 89-90 mph during Friday's appearance. Nathan was scheduled for three straight off-days following Thursday's appearance anyway (he had pitched on consecutive days), and the hope is that he'll be ready to pitch again early this week. Ausmus told reporters that there is no late-spring competition for the closer role, though it should be noted that Joakim Soria picked up the save Friday and that he hasn't allowed a baserunner since March 12.

Nathan tossed a scoreless fifth inning in Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Braves.

After giving up a pair of hits in a scoreless spring debut Tuesday, Nathan struck out one and needed just five pitches to record his three outs Saturday. He's on track to open the season as the Tigers' closer, albeit with much less leash than he worked with in 2014.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said that Nathan looked good while throwing fastballs and sliders during a bullpen session Wednesday, the Detroit News reports.

Poor mechanics were blamed for Nathan's struggles last season, as it took the veteran closer several months to lower his arm slot. If Nathan is more comfortable with the adjustments heading into 2015, he may be able to rebound enough to stave off Joakim Soria, Bruce Rondon, and Joba Chamberlain from the ninth-inning role this season.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus confirmed that Nathan is the team's closer to begin the spring, the Detroit News reports.

In addition to confirming Nathan as the closer, Ausmus stated that Joakim Soria is the team's eighth-inning setup man. While those roles are exactly what has been planned throughout the offseason, it's clear that the leash for Nathan is shorter than it has been in the past, as Soria and Bruce Rondon could become options to step into the ninth-inning role if Nathan's 2014 struggles persist.

Nathan adjusted his offseason workouts this winter with the hope adding more agility and flexibility, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

After struggling in 2014, Nathan is out to prove that he still has something left in the tank. Tigers general manager Dave Dombroski indicated in October that he expects Nathan to begin the season as the team's closer, but a healthy Joakim Soria may be waiting in the wings if the 40-year-old shows any signs of prolonged struggles.

GM Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that he expects Nathan to open 2015 as the Tigers' closer, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.

Dombrowski added the caveat that performance will ultimately dictate roles, but it sounds like he's confident the 39-year-old right-hander will secure the ninth-inning job in the spring. Despite an absolutely dismal first half from Nathan (5.61 ERA), the Tigers stuck with him as closer all year, resulting his ninth 35-plus save campaign in his last 10 seasons.

Nathan had one of his best outings of the season against Minnesota on Thursday, retiring the side with two strikeouts, to earn his 34th save of the season.

Nathan threw eight pitches, all for strikes, making quick work of the Twins, in a much-needed clean outing. It's been a bumpy ride for Nathan this year, but he remains the man in the ninth inning for Detroit.

Nathan was charged with his seventh blown save of the season Tuesday, giving up two earned runs on two hits and a walk, including a walk-off infield single to Aaron Hicks in the bottom of the ninth.

It would be surprising if the Tigers changed any of the relievers' roles at this stage in the season, so despite his significant struggles, owners looking for saves would still be wise to hold onto Nathan.