Nathan driven by passion for game

Nearly 13 years after he was traded away, Joe Nathan is back with the Giants.

The 41-year-old right-hander was promoted from Double-A Richmond before Saturday’s game against the Cubs.

“Iwant to prove tomyself that I can still do it,” saidNathan, who signed a minor-league deal Aug. 19.

Nathan was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 1995 and began his career as a starter before moving to the bullpen. But after struggling in the 2003 playoffs, Nathan was dealt along with left-hander Francisco Liriano to the Twins for catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

It turned out to a one-sided deal asNathan became one of the top closers in the game with 377 saves and six All-Star selections with the Twins, Rangers and Tigers. But he has appeared in only four major-league games the last two seasons after a second Tommy John surgery.

“(The) ultimate motivation is to win a ring, and from there it was kind of nice to prove some people wrong,” Nathan said. “Once I had the injury, I don’t think itwas fiveminutes afterwe found out I was going to have surgery that people were already saying, ‘So you’re retiring, right?’ ”

Manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants plan to use Nathan in the sixth and seventh innings.

“What’s impressive is he still has such passion for the game that he (was) pitching at Double A,” Bochy said. “And now he is back with the Giants.”

Nathan appeared in three games with the Cubs earlier this season but was released Aug. 6 amid a roster crunch.

“It was just a lack of opportunity with us,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I’m really happy that he’s there.”