Published: Dec. 7, 2011 at 8:13 PM

DALLAS, Dec. 7 (UPI) — The Minnesota Twins announced Wednesday they have signed right-handed reliever Matt Capps to a one-year deal.

Capps was Minnesota’s full-time closer after he was acquired from Washington in a 2010 trade, but struggled last season and was demoted in July after injured all-time Twins saves leader Joe Nathan returned from the disabled list.

Struggling with forearm and wrist problems, Capps went just 4-7 with 15 saves and a 4.25 ERA in 69 games for the Twins last season.

Nathan has since left Minnesota for Texas as a free agent and Capps is likely to be counted on once again as Minnesota’s closer for the 2012 season.

He has a 28-29 career record with 124 saves and a 3.51 ERA in 414 games for the Pirates, Nationals and Twins.

Updated Aug 9, 2011 5:49 PM ET

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

The Minnesota Twins have placed right-hander Scott Baker on the disabled list because of a strained pitching elbow.

The Twins made the move Tuesday, one day after Baker gave up five runs and nine hits in six innings of a loss to the Boston Red Sox. His elbow has bothered him since just before the All-Star break when he went to the DL for the first time.

Baker has been Minnesota’s most consistent starter this season. He met with team doctors Tuesday when the decision was made.

The Twins plan to recall right-hander Kevin Slowey from Triple-A Rochester on Friday and start him on Sunday at Cleveland. Slowey went 1-2 with a 3.55 ERA for Rochester following an abdominal injury.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—The Minnesota Twins have placed right-hander Scott Baker(notes)
on the disabled list because of a strained pitching elbow.

The Twins made the move Tuesday, one day after Baker gave up five runs and
nine hits in six innings of a loss to the Boston Red Sox. His elbow has bothered
him since just before the All-Star break when he went to the DL for the first
time.

Baker has been Minnesota’s most consistent starter this season. He met with
team doctors Tuesday when the decision was made.

The Twins plan to recall right-hander Kevin Slowey(notes) from Triple-A Rochester
on Friday and start him on Sunday at Cleveland. Slowey went 1-2 with a 3.55 ERA
for Rochester following an abdominal injury.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—Minnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span(notes) has doctor’s
clearance to begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, five weeks after
suffering a concussion.

Twins head athletic trainer Rick McWane said Friday that Span will travel
Saturday and play center field for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday. Outfielder
Jason Kubel(notes) will join him and serve as the designated hitter for the Red Wings,
re-starting his rehab after a setback to his sprained left foot two weeks ago.
Kubel was first hurt May 30 and hasn’t played for the Twins since.

Span has been out since June 7, the result of concussion symptoms stemming
from a collision at home plate. Per Major League Baseball guidelines, Span will
have to pass more tests before he can be activated from the disabled list.