Brian Wilson: Is the Giants Closer Jeopardizing 2012 by Pitching Now?

San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson spent six weeks on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, returning to action this past Sunday in Colorado. When the injury first came to light while the Giants were in Atlanta last month, there was plenty of concern over the health of the star closer's arm.

On August 17, while the Giants were playing the Braves in Atlanta, Wilson flew to Pensacola, Florida to consult on his ailing right elbow with Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Andrews is the doctor who performed Tommy John surgery on Wilson in 2003, so when this news came out Giants fans immediately started to panic. 

Dr. Andrews reported that his examination "found no major problems" and he recommended that Wilson rest and be treated by the Giants training staff.

Wilson spent a significant amount of time out of action and every day that passed seemed to spell doom for any possible return in 2011. Wilson finally made strides in his rehab and after proving to the Giants' medical staff that he could hold up to the rigors of competing in a major league game, Wilson was activated from the DL this past weekend while the Giants were in Colorado.

Wilson saw his first game action since August 15 on Sunday when he pitched one inning, striking out two in what was really a mop up role as the Giants were winning that game handily. Although Wilson was successful in that appearance, watching him pitch made me feel like something wasn't quite right.

When, as a fan, you watch a player game by game, you start to notice their little idiosyncrasies, their general mannerisms and you can tell when they aren't completely into the game or if they are on their game or if something is bothering them. On Sunday in Colorado, Wilson did not look comfortable.

Several times as he threw pitches, Wilson seemed to be subconsciously protecting his arm, holding it ever so close to his body after throwing a pitch. A few times he seemed to be irritated, even as he was getting the desired results with the pitch. 

Watching this, I felt something was wrong, but I decided that the team must know what they are doing, they wouldn't run him out there if there was any risk  and I was probably just reading into things too much. Then came Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

Wilson recorded his first save in over a month Wednesday night in the Giants' critical 8-5 win over the Dodgers. Again, Wilson was successful, recording one out to finish the game, throwing 10 pitches, seven of them for strikes. This time I know what I saw: Wilson was not right on the mound. 

After one of his pitches he clearly winced and shook his arm in a manner that just isn't part of his regular routine on the mound. He shook it in a manner that suggested he was trying to regain some sense of a normal feeling in either his arm or maybe his hand.

The real telling moment came once the game was over. As the Giants all lined up congratulating each other on their victory, Wilson was obviously distressed.

Where Wilson would normally walk down the line of teammates and simply high five with his right hand, on this night he reached completely across his body with his left hand to high five teammates while his right arm just hung there, closer to the celebration line than his left arm, holding his glove.  A couple of times Wilson even shook a teammate's hand with his left hand, clearly avoiding raising his right arm up to engage in the simple task of shaking another person's hand.

I don't want to be an alarmist, but from what I have seen in his two appearances since his return from the DL, Brian Wilson is not right and should be shut down immediately. His style of throwing is very upright, very stiff, especially compared to the fluidity and grace that is the delivery of Tim Lincecum. 

Wilson puts a tremendous amount of strain on his arm when he throws and it has already resulted in Tommy John surgery once before when he was in college. I certainly hope he hasn't damaged his elbow to the point where that surgery would be necessary for a second time.

Whatever is bothering him is of serious concern and needs to be addressed, now.