There are always issues in spring

Now, there are questions about Joe Nathan.

And you thought the concern about a back-up center fielder was a big deal?

As of Sunday morning, Nathan's removal from Saturday's game could be nothing. Or it could be everything. Anyone who has watched enough players come back from arm/elbow surgery has heard the standard line about the breaking up of scar tissue. The pain comes and then all is well. Sometimes, that's what happens.

Sometimes, it isn't so simple. Sometimes, that's what really does happens -- and then the struggle is to get it through the pitcher's head that he's 100 percent healthy and ready to give 110 percent.

At least, that's what people who've never had surgery say.

Joe Christensen's Nathan update from Fort Myers is here.

Let's hope for the best with Nathan. And, frankly, I'm going to be skeptical of anything that comes from the Twins on this one. Why?

I'll have to see for myself before I believe claims of 100 percent and, with a relief pitcher of Nathan's excellent credentials, it will be pretty easy to judge whether he's back to full strength.

I assume the mystery will drag out for a while because the Twins will be understandably cautious about bringing Nathan back. So if he's limited for longer than you'd like, or he'd like, that's just part of the deal.

For those with short memories, keep in mind that people were raising all kinds of injuries concerns -- and some were even mocking the slow recovery -- of another Twins player last season. A guy named Mauer.

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