John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that Bruce Bochy "wasn't as optimistic" about Brian Wilson (elbow) returning this season as he was about Barry Zito (ankle) or Jonathan Sanchez (ankle). Bochy said he was "fairly confident" Wilson would return this year. That doesn't sound terribly ominous, but we weren't in the room when the question was asked, and Shea seems to think Bochy might be a little worried about the closer. Either way, it does seem as if Wilson is probably at least a couple weeks away. The Giants have been using a committee in the ninth inning with The Beard out.

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw on flat ground for a second straight day Friday. However, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Wilson "isn't close to returning to the active roster." Giants manager Bruce Bochy said previously that Wilson was unlikely to be ready on August 31, the first day he's eligible to be activated. It probably won't be too long after that, though.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said it will be "tough" for Brian Wilson (elbow) to return from the disabled list when first eligible on August 31. We figured the Giants would at least wait an additional day until rosters expanded, but it appears it might be a little longer than that. Wilson played seven minutes of catch Thursday and will be evaluated Friday to see if he can ramp up his activity. It's not clear at this point if he might go out on a short rehab assignment before returning.

Brian Wilson played seven minutes of catch Thursday, reporting no lingering issues with his elbow. Wilson landed on the disabled list August 16 with inflammation in his throwing elbow. He's already making steady progress and should be ready to return to the back of the Giants' bullpen at the end of this month.

Brian Wilson (elbow) could begin playing light catch Thursday. The Giants suggested when Wilson went on the DL that he could be back after 15 days, but their waiver claim of Heath Bell indicates they might be concerned about their injured closer. Of course, they could have just been blocking the D'Backs from making a claim, so it might be completely unrelated. Wilson is eligible to return on August 31 but will need to throw at least a few bullpen sessions and possibly go out on a short rehab assignment before returning.

Brian Wilson (elbow) has yet to resume throwing. Wilson was placed on the DL Sunday with inflammation in his pitching elbow. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after the move that Wilson could be back once his 15 days are up, which will be on August 31. But, he'll obviously need to start throwing from a mound before we'll have a clearer picture on his status.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Brian Wilson (elbow) could be back from the disabled list after his 15 days are up. He was placed on the DL retroactive to August 16, so Wilson will be eligible to return on the final day of the month. The Giants could wait one more day when rosters expand to activate him, but, either way, it's obviously good news that the closer's absence might be a short one. The Giants will use a committee in the ninth inning until Sergio Romo comes back from the DL, which could be later this week.

Brian Wilson (elbow) is likely to be placed on the disabled list, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. Baggarly believes they'll make the move official on Sunday, when they need an extra bullpen arm behind spot starter Dan Runzler. The Giants are keeping the status of Wilson's inflamed right elbow a secret, so it's difficult to get an exact read on the situation. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Wilson would continue to get treatment and stated "when we think he's ready to throw, he'll start throwing again." Wilson wouldn't be eligible to return until August 31 if he were to be placed on the DL. Jeremy Affeldt would likely receive save situations if Wilson were shelved.

Brian Wilson (elbow) did not play catch Friday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said previously that his closer "could" play catch, but evidently he's not quite ready. It's sounding like there's a good chance he won't be available at all over the weekend. Bochy is using a committee for the ninth inning with both Wilson and Sergio Romo out.

Brian Wilson (elbow) "could" play catch on Friday. However, there's currently no timetable for when he'll again be available. There hasn't been any indication yet that Wilson could be staring at a trip to the disabled list, though it wouldn't be surprising if that's ultimately where he ends up. Giants manager Bruce Bochy is going with a committee in the ninth inning in Wilson's absence.