Fort Myers, FL (Sports Network) - Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan has a "significant" ligament tear in his right elbow.

Nathan left a spring training game on Saturday and went back to Minneapolis for tests, which revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament.

The Twins said the veteran reliever will rest the elbow for two weeks to allow swelling in the area to subside. He will then try to strengthen the elbow before trying to pitch.

If rehab does not work, surgery will likely be necessary.

"It's significant, that's the best word I can use," said Twins general manager Bill Smith. "We're going to shut him down for two weeks and let things calm down and rebuild some strength in that elbow, and then we'll reevaluate at that time."

Nathan faced one batter Saturday in a spring training game against Boston and left the mound after experiencing tightness in the elbow.

The 35-year-old right-hander is coming off a franchise-record 47-save season in 2009. He threw to a 2.10 earned run average in 70 appearances but had to have bone spurs and loose bodies removed in his right elbow following the playoffs.

Over his 10-year career, Nathan has compiled 247 saves to go with a 2.75 ERA in 533 games -- 29 starts.

03/09 15:31:07 ET