Brian Wilson (elbow) threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Monday.

"I feel like I'm right on schedule," said Wilson, who estimated that he was throwing at about 75 percent intensity. "It's a check on the checklist. It's a standard bullpen. I don't look too deep into it. But as far as pain, I was pain-free. No ailments, no tweaks, no inflammation." Wilson dealt with elbow and hip injuries last season, so he isn't expected to make his Cactus League debut until the second week of the exhibition schedule. However, the Giants' closer shouldn't need many innings to get ready for Opening Day.

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.

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw a successful 30-pitch simulated game on Thursday afternoon.

If Wilson wakes up Friday without feeling any negative aftereffects from the workout, he could be activated from the 15-day disabled list. The bearded closer has been sidelined since mid-August with an elbow issue.

Brian Wilson (elbow) will throw off a mound to live hitters for a second time Thursday.

Barring a setback, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said there's a good chance he'll make at least one appearance before the season is over. The focus appears to be giving him some peace of mind headed into the offseason, so fantasy owners would do well to pick up Santiago Casilla, who notched a save Wednesday.

Brian Wilson (elbow) will throw off a mound again Wednesday.

Wilson has made steady progress over the past week, so there is increased optimism that he will be able to make a couple appearances before the end of the regular season. We expect his availability to be limited, however, so Sergio Romo still looks like the pitcher to own for fantasy purposes.

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw a 19-pitch bullpen session Friday.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said the Wilson would take a few days off before throwing again. "I've got a lot more optimism about him pitching again (this season)," Bochy said. "He'd like to get back out there before the season's over. That's why he's continung to work hard and why he threw today, facing hitters, hoping that he'd get back out there when he's ready." We're cautiously optimistic that he'll make at least a few appearances before the season comes to close.

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday.

The Giants will have Wilson throw again Monday before deciding whether or not to shut him down for the remainder of the season. Wilson has reportedly looked good in recent sessions, so we're cautiously optimistic that he'll make at least a few appearances before the season comes to close.

Brian Wilson (elbow) could throw another bullpen session Friday or Saturday.

He'll then likely follow that up with a simulated game. Wilson "aired it out" with a 22-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and felt good. Although the Giants won't set a timetable for him, he seems likely to be activated after a simulated game, assuming it goes well. "Obviously, he's really good and we want him back," head trainer Dave Groeschner said, "but we want him healthy."

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw another bullpen session Wednesday.

According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Wilson "aired it out." The Giants have contemplated shutting Wilson down for the season, but it sounds like they are ramping him up for a return in the near future. Ramon Ramirez notched a save in Tuesday's victory after Santiago Casilla was pulled, but we still think Sergio Romo is the best fantasy option in the interim.

Updating a previous item, Brian Wilson (elbow) threw 15 pitches in a bullpen session Monday.

Wilson plans to throw off the mound again Monday. He is making steady progress, though the Giants could consider shutting him down if they fall further out of contention in the National League West. Bruce Bochy will continue to employ a closer-by-committee approach during his absence.

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw lightly Sunday and will toss a light bullpen session soon.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said there's been no talk to this point of shutting Wilson down, but if the team falls out of contention, it could become an option. With a six-game deficit, the Giants (and Wilson) are running out of time.