Capps replaces Nathan as Twins' closer

Matt Capps is taking over as the Twins' closer so Joe Nathan can work on regaining his form in non-save situations as he comes back from elbow surgery.

The change was announced before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

Nathan had blown save opportunities Thursday and Saturday in games eventually won by the Rays. The right-hander missed all of last season after having right elbow ligament replacement surgery, and has been inconsistent this year.

"Until I start getting that back, and I know I will at some time, I don't want to put this team at any risk and cost them ball games right now," Nathan said. "I just thought it was the right thing to do for the ball club and myself. Give myself a chance to get out there and still pitch on a consistent basis. Obviously that's what I need to do. Getting away from where every pitch could cost us a game."

Nathan is 0-1 with an 8.44 earned-run average in six games. He had converted all three save chances before his last two outings against Tampa Bay.

"It's one thing to go through his process of coming back from Tommy John surgery and trying to finish ball games," Nathan said. "Hopefully this move will help me get some consistency, get comfortable. I have to be fair to this team, to the staff, to myself. I have to be honest. If I'm going out there not a 100 per cent physically or mentally right now, the smartest thing to do is give it to somebody else."

Nathan went to see manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson to discuss the closer role after Saturday night's 4-3 loss to the Rays, in which Nathan gave up two runs in one-third of an inning.

"It's not like I'm miles away," Nathan said. "I don't think this is too far off."

Capps had a combined 42 saves last year for the Twins and Washington.

Mixed emotions

"I kind of have mixed emotions," Capps said. "Obviously it's something I want to do and something I enjoy doing, but it's not the way I wanted it to happen."

Capps got his first save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth in Sunday's 4-2 win.

Glen Perkins worked the eighth, which was Capps's old role, on Sunday. Right-hander Jim Hoey was recalled from AAA Rochester after the game and will be in the mix for the set-up role.

Also, first baseman Justin Morneau was out of Sunday's lineup due to the flu.

Catcher Joe Mauer was back at the ballpark after spending the previous two days at the team hotel because of a viral infection. The team feels the infection increased his body soreness recently. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of leg weakness stemming from off-season arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Mauer said he lost 12 pounds.

"I'm still not very good," Mauer said. "A lot better than the last couple days, though. It's been beating on me the last couple days."

Mauer hit .235 with four RBIs in nine games this season.

"It goes back to spring training," Mauer said. "I thought I built up enough strength in my legs to get to the season, and once the games started playing my hope was that I'd get stronger and stronger. It just went the other way. I need to take time off and get healthy. With one leg not strong, it affects other things."

The three-time American League batting champion and 2009 AL MVP is scheduled for a follow-up visit to a specialist in Baltimore on Monday. The doctor treated a lower-back problem that put Mauer on the DL for a month in 2009.

Mauer is expected to start a rehab program this week in Minnesota. Gardenhire hopes Mauer can return in a couple weeks.