Minnesota Twins All-Star closer Joe Nathan has a torn ligament in his throwing elbow.

General Manager Bill Smith says the plan is to rest Nathan for two weeks, eliminate the soreness and build strength in his elbow before making any decisions about surgery.

Nathan was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA, and had a career-high 47 saves last year. Nathan may get a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, the surgeon who operated on his elbow last October to remove bone chips. Nathan hurt his ulnar collateral ligament. Injuries to that ligament have led to season-ending Tommy John surgery in other pitchers.

Nathan flew back to Minneapolis Sunday after feeling soreness in the elbow in Saturday?s game against Boston.

A sports doctor under investigation in Canada and the United States says he treated Alex Rodriguez after the Yankees slugger had hip surgery last year but he only prescribed anti-inflammatories.

Rodriguez and other high profile baseball players have been contacted by U.S. federal investigators regarding Galea. Rodriguez said last week he was aware of the investigation and plans to cooperate with the government.

Galea faces drug charges in Canada and his assistant was stopped last year trying to bring HGH over the border into New York state.

Galea told The Associated Press on Monday that he treated the Yankees star for his hip, which was inflamed. But Galea says he has never given HGH to any athlete and Rodriguez was given anti-inflammatories.

Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin strained his left groin during the eighth inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' 7-4 victory over Florida on Sunday.

Maybin was injured while stepping on third base as he was trying to score from first on Donnie Murphy's double. He hobbled home before being escorted to the clubhouse by a trainer. He is not expected to play for at least several days.

Maybin says he is sore and he hopes it is "just a day-to-day thing."

SI.com reports free-agent infielder Hank Blalock is close to signing with the Rays.

Blalock presumably would back up Carlos Pena at first base, Evan Longoria at third base and Pat Burrell at DH.

The former Rangers slugger hit 25 home runs for Texas last season but batted just .234/.277/.459. He suffered from rib, hamstring and shoulder problems the past three seasons. The Marlins reportedly also had interest in signing Blalock.

Reyes' (hamstring) thyroid issue is very common and treatable, David Lennon of NY Newsday reports.

This is very good news for Reyes and the Mets. He'll likely have to be put on medication as part of his treatment, but it sounds like he'll avoid a prolonged shutdown that could have accompanied a more serious condition. No word yet as to when exactly he'll be in the lineup for a Grapefruit League game at this time.

Reyes, who was scratched from making his first spring start Thursday due to the need for a follow-up on his initial physical, has been scratched again Friday, the NY Daily News' Mets blog reports.

Reyes has a hyperactive thyroid and is headed back to New York for further examination. He is not allowed to do any activity until more tests are conducted.

Responding to criticism from Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley, Cubs manager Lou Piniella told the Chicago Tribune that the team never tried to turn Bradley into a power hitter in 2009.

We never put any expectations on Milton, Piniella said. I don't really have anything else to add to that. I think getting off to a struggling start didn't help him. I think he tried to make up for it with one swing of the bat.