Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Brian Wilson (elbow) is not expected to make his debut until the second week of spring training. Wilson was limited to two appearances over the final six weeks of last season due to a strained right elbow. "I saw him a couple of days ago, he's coming along just fine,'' Bochy said. ''You probably won't see him the first few games of action, but you'll see him out there the second week. He was throwing fairly well. Probably 80 percent. He wasn't favoring anything or changing his delivery." Assuming he's healthy, Wilson should be one of the top five closers off the board in 2012.

Brian Wilson said he's lost 15 pounds over the offseason in an effort to gain more flexibility. At the Giants' urging, Wilson focused his workouts more on cardio than weight training. He thinks the new routine will help keep him healthier in 2012. It surely won't do anything to help the elbow issue he dealt with, but it could aid him in ridding himself of the back issues that cropped up on occasion. As for his beard, Wilson said it's not going away anytime soon. "It's part of me," he said.

Brian Wilson (elbow) is currently playing hard catch from a distance of 90 feet. Wilson was limited to just two appearances over the final six weeks of the 2011 season due to a strained right elbow, but he's right on schedule for the start of spring training. The Giants may have him throw an extra bullpen session or two as opposed to pitching in games when the Cactus League schedule begins, but barring any setbacks, he shouldn't need much time to get ready for the start of the season. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 3.11 ERA, 36 saves and a 54/31 K/BB ratio over 55 innings in 2011.

Brian Wilson will not require any type of surgery on his right elbow. Wilson dealt with an elbow issue from mid-August to mid-September before returning to make two late-season appearances. The Giants ultimately shut him down, but only because they felt no need to push him after they fell out of the playoff race. The Beard will be the team's closer again in 2012.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy confirmed after Monday's game that Brian Wilson will not pitch again this season. It became fairly obvious after Santiago Casilla was used in a save situation Monday night against the Rockies. Considering the Giants are out of things and Wilson just returned from an elbow injury, there's simply nothing to gain by putting him back out there. The bearded closer will finish the season with a 3.11 ERA, 36 saves and a 54/31 K/BB ratio over 55 innings. Assuming he's healthy, he should be one of the top five or six closers off the board in mixed leagues in 2012.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Brian Wilson will re-gain his closer role starting on Tuesday. Santiago Casilla will keep the role for one more game before Wilson assumes the ninth inning in LA. Bochy added that Wilson would throw in the bullpen if he wasn't used in Sunday's game.

Giants activated RHP Brian Wilson from the 15-day disabled list. Wilson hasn't had any pain in his elbow for a while now and is ready to rejoin the Giants bullpen. It's not clear whether he'll be immediately re-inserted into his closer role or be eased back in. Santiago Casilla has done a nice job in the ninth inning, though he did give up two runs Saturday before closing out the win.

Brian Wilson (elbow) could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Sunday. Wilson has been throwing pain-free and could be cleared to return if he feels good following a game of catch Saturday. It's not clear if he would immediately return to the ninth inning. Though they're still a longshot, the Giants are suddenly breathing again in the NL West after winning seven straight to pull within 4.5 back.

Brian Wilson will play catch on Saturday. Wilson was thought to need only one more throwing session after Friday but he will not be activated just yet. As expected the Giants are playing it very safe with their All-Star closer. He should make his return at some point this season but his workload will closely monitored. It is unlikely that he will be a full time closer for the remainder of the 2011 season.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti said Friday that Brian Wilson (elbow) will likely need one more throwing session before being activated from the disabled list. Wilson threw to live hitters Thursday for the second time, but the Giants aren't going to rush him back. We still expect him to return this season, but mostly so he can have some peace of mind going into the winter. Temper expectations in fantasy leagues.