Brian Wilson Injury: Updates on Giants Star's Arm Injury

Update: Wednesday, April 18 at 8:17 p.m. EST

It looks like Brian Wilson will undergo Tommy John surgery, after all.

Alex Pavlovic of Bay Area News Group tweeted:

"

Brian Wilson will have Tommy John surgery tomorrow, performed by Dr. James Andrews. #SFGiants

— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) April 18, 2012"

Brian Wilson's ligament damage is apparently not as bad as feared. The Giants' closer reportedly does not have a full ligament tear. He may still opt to have season-ending Tommy John surgery, but rehab may also be an option.

CSN Bay Area's Andrew Baggarly reported the news:

"

Wilson does not have a full ligament tear, Giants trainer Dave Groescher told me. Moderate sprains are generally termed Grade 2 (on a scale of three), and some pitchers opt to rehab rather than have surgery.

"

Wilson is currently consulting experts in the field. Baggarly reported that Wilson is in the process of seeing two experts so that they can review diagnostics ordered by the team.

On Monday, Wilson saw orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum. Of course, it wouldn't be a ligament concern if the famous Dr. James Andrews wasn't involved, and Wilson is scheduled to see him on Wednesday.

There is the strong possibility that they will advise that Wilson simply rehabs the arm. Plenty of pitchers have had a similar arm condition and opted to rehab instead of going under the knife. 

Who knows if the unpredictable Wilson will go this route or decide to have an operation he has already had? Wilson underwent the surgery when he was 21. 

Whatever decision is made, the Giants clearly want to play a role in which route he goes. Baggarly offered up this quote from Giants trainer Dave Groescher:

"

They’ll talk to myself and (Giants orthopedist Dr. Ken) Akizuki, we’ll gather all information, and by the end of the week, we’ll all make the best decision for Brian. These two guys are the best in the world. If there’s something else to do (besides surgery), they’ll know and they’ll tell us.

"

If Wilson does rehab his arm, there is a possibility that he will return this season. That is not an option if he has the surgery, which carries a 12-month recovery time. 

Wilson clearly wasn't right this season. He had appeared in two games, pitching two innings. He had an ERA of 9.00 with two walks, two strikeouts and a save. 

The arm problems began last year, when he missed 30 games with an elbow strain. It is likely that he injured his arm while trying to compensate for the strain.