FORT MYERS, FLA. - Twins closer Joe Nathan on Thursday slipped into workout clothes just like any other spring training day. But with a torn ligament in his pitching elbow, he headed to the trainer's room while his teammates took the field to play Baltimore.

A reporter approached him and admitted that it will be hard not to ask him how he feels every day.

"There's no reason to,'' he said, "until I pick up a baseball.''

There were, however, updates Thursday on various fronts.

The results of his latest MRI -- which revealed a significant tear of his ulnar collateral ligament -- have been sent to orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for another opinion. Nathan didn't stop there, sending a copy of the MRI to Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek.

Their reports should be known by early next week. Andrews, according to Nathan, is out of town at a clinic where 200 physicians are in attendance. "I told him to feel free to show it to anyone there,'' Nathan joked.

Nathan has begun work to strengthen the area around the elbow, with the hope that he can somehow pitch this season, considered a long shot.

"Doing everything to get the arm strong,'' Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It is very important, whether he pitches or has surgery, that everything in his arm is strong.''

Dave Pepe, Nathan's agent, said they are aware that Red Sox pitcher Takashi Saito eschewed surgery on his torn elbow ligament and took a PRP (platelet-rich-plasma) injection that allowed him to recover in two months.

Pepe said the differences in Saito's and Nathan's cases come down to "age and time.''

Saito was 38 years old at the time and trying to prolong his career. Nathan, 35, has more years left. Nathan, unlike Saito, is a closer on a team with high expectations. And Nathan pointed out that if the injection doesn't work in two months, he would have to have Tommy John surgery in May and the 2011 season would be in jeopardy as well as the rest of this season.

Nathan doubted they would opt for an injection but added: "I'm sure we'll look at everything. It's definitely not out of the question.'''

Nathan then went off to work on his injured elbow, with the clock ticking on whether to pitch with a torn UCL or have season-ending surgery.

"I would like to make a decision by the end of next week,'' he said.