Joseph Michael Nathan (born November 22, 1974 in Houston, Texas) is a Major League Baseball closer (Closer (baseball)) for the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws right-handed, and stands at a height of 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m). He started playing baseball as a shortstop in high school, and played the same position in college. However, he became a pitcher after the San Francisco Giants drafted him in 1995. After working his way through the minor leagues, he alternated between spots in the rotation and the bullpen. He spent a few seasons splitting time between the majors and the minors before having a breakout season as a relief pitcher in 2003. Nathan joined the Minnesota Twins in 2004 and became their closing pitcher. Nathan is considered one of the top closers (closer (baseball)) in baseball.

In 2010, Nathan underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (ulnar collateral ligament (elbow)) in his throwing elbow. He is currently on the disabled list, and is expected to miss the entire 2010 season.