Giants closer Brian Wilson likely needs surgery

[cruzg24]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Giants closer Brian Wilson is likely headed for surgery on his right elbow after an MRI revealed structural damage and an issue with the ligament, and his season could be in jeopardy.

Manager Bruce Bochy and athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said Saturday the club will seek at least one other opinion and probably two, including from the renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews, who performs Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgeries.

''There's definitely some issues there,'' Bochy said. ''Initially I was just being optimistic he would be fine, but after the test done yesterday it doesn't look very good right now. ... Likely he's looking at surgery.''
The 30-year-old Wilson, who led the majors with 48 saves in 2010, already had one Tommy John surgery during college.

The three-time All-Star right-hander complained of discomfort in the elbow Friday and then was sent for tests. He was to be examined again by team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki on Saturday night, and is to be placed on the 15-day disabled list by Sunday to clear roster room for starter Ryan Vogelsong to come off the DL.

Groeschner said Tommy John surgery ''would be a possibility'' because of the structural issues. And if Wilson needs work on the ligament, Groeschner acknowledged that could cost the reliever his season.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Update:

Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports that Wilson was diagnosed with a “moderate” sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. He does not have a full tear and there are pitchers who opt to rehab the injury rather than have surgery.

Wilson traveled to Southern California today to get an opinion from Dr. Lewis Yocum and he’ll visit Dr. James Andrews in Florida on Wednesday. We should know something definitive by the end of the week.

Assuming Wilson ultimately opts for surgery, he will miss the rest of the season and perhaps the early part of next season. The Giants could have a tough decision ahead of them under this scenario, as he is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter. As Baggarly noted yesterday, the Giants could offer him a 20 percent (maximum) pay cut, meaning a $6.4 million salary for 2013, or they could non-tender him and potentially bring him back at a lower salary. Of course, non-tendering him would give him the option of testing the open market.
-hardballtalk