LOS ANGELESBrian Wilson hasnt changed his fashion senseduring his time away from the Giants this season.
He walked into the visiting clubhouse at Dodger Stadium onTuesday with his usual ensemble of v-neck vintage T-shirt, trucker mesh cap,skater shorts, brightly colored socks and silver high tops fit for a moonlanding.
And the beard, of coursea bit more of a birds nest thanusual.
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He looked good, looked healthy, Giants manager Bruce Bochysaid. The beard did not look healthy.
As for the health of Wilsons right elbow? Bochy received afull download from Wilson, and after getting with trainers, they forged a planfor the All-Star closer to begin playing catch in October. That would be sixmonths after Tommy John surgery to reconstruct his ulnar collateral ligament.
Bochy said there was no reason for Wilson to push therecovery schedule, since he isnt expected to be ready until spring training.
I talked to Willie quite a bit, Bochy said. It seems likehes in a good place mentally. I thought he lost weight earlier. He put it backon. He looks good.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants still must figure out a contract for Wilson, whois eligible for arbitration one more time. He is making 8.5 million and theGiants by rule could seek to cut his salary by no more than 20 percent if theygo through the arbitration process. That would mean a salary of at least 6.8million, which is quite an investment for a pitcher coming off a major surgery.
Of course, Wilson is also the only Giant to throw a WorldSeries-clinching pitch in five-plus decades in San Francisco. So theres that.
However they arrive at the salary number, the important partis that the Giants still expect Wilson to be part of the organization nextseason.