Will Joe Nathan need surgery for his elbow injury? Joe Nathan won’t know if surgery on his elbow injury is needed until two weeks from now. It’s the same elbow that Nathan has surgery on in winter 2009 to remove bone chips.

The injury is to the ulnar collateral ligament, surgery for which is season ending typically. Nathan told press this week:

“If I’m able to go out there and throw, then I’ll definitely give it a shot. The only reason that I would get a surgery done is if I’m just unable to go out there.”

Joe Nathan is under a two year contract that earns him $11.25 million for this and next year.

Today Twins General Manager Bill Smith said Nathan will rest for two weeks to help let the elbow (hopefully) recover. The Star Tribune reports Nathan’s comments as the following:

“I’m going to do whatever I can right now to give myself the best chance to go out there and help this team out … but at the same time, I’m not going let this go on too long because at the same time, I know these guys have a decision to make, and they’ve gotta prepare for the season, too, so I will make a decision quicker rather than later and give them ample time to do what they have to do.”