As the Tigers were en route Tuesday morning to their game with Washington, the Minnesota Twins were announcing news that might alter the season in the American League Central.

Right-hander Joe Nathan, the Twins' formidable ninth-inning closer for the past six years, has a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. He might need surgery that would end his season.

No opponent would notice his absence as much as the Tigers, against whom Nathan is 30-for-30 lifetime in saves. But in misfortunes like this, opponents don't recalculate the pennant-race odds. Instead, they commiserate.