Shoulder keeps Nathan out of Classic

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins closer Joe Nathan has pulled himself out of the World Baseball Classic.

Nathan had been scheduled to pitch for Team USA in the event. But he's been experiencing some discomfort in the acromioclavicular joint of his right shoulder, better known as the AC joint. He informed reporters on Sunday morning that he decided the best thing to do was to stay in camp.

"It wouldn't be fair for me to say I'm 100 percent and go play for Team USA when I'm not," Nathan said. "It wouldn't be fair for the Twins or Team USA. As hard as it is to have to watch this [event] and know I want to be there, at the same time I know this is the right decision to make sure I'm ready for April 6."

Nathan said that he began experiencing the discomfort in his shoulder during the offseason.

"I didn't really think much of it," Nathan said. "It's always kind of uncomfortable coming back and starting to throw. But when I got here and started doing everyday stuff, it kind of flared it up a bit. The good thing is I was able to go in and tell them early and it didn't get too serious."

Nathan was able to work out during the early part of camp, and he pitched one inning in the Twins' Spring Training opener against the Red Sox on Wednesday night. But after the game, the decision was made to have Nathan take a few days off. He said he threw on Saturday without any problem and he was scheduled to throw a bullpen on Sunday.

"I'm not worried about it being a major concern," Nathan said. "I guess it's news because of the World Baseball Classic tournament going on and I'm not able to attend. "If I went and played for Team USA, it's basically going to be getting after it every time I go out there. Staying here allows me to kind of get this thing calmed down and strengthened back up kind of at our pace."

Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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First Grady from the indians, then hawpe, now nathen.

I guess matt might get a few more chances now.