Giants closer Brian Wilson likely headed for season-ending elbow surgery

Smile (shelved).

Giants closer Brian Wilson has “structural issues” in his right elbow and is likely facing season-ending surgery, manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday night before the team’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

After a 32-piitch inning against Colorado Thursday in which he struggled to get the save during a 4-2 Giants’ win, Wilson complained of elbow stiffness Friday. An MRI on Friday night revealed structural damage, although to what degree the club was not yet prepared to say. Bochy said Wilson will get second and third opinions, including one from noted elbow surgeon Dr. James Andrews, before making a final determination about surgery.

The manager did not sound optimistic.

“After the tests (Friday), it doesn’t look very good right now,” Bochy said. “He’s likely looking at surgery. We all feel terrible. But he had a good attitude about it. He said, ‘I’ll be back. I’ll be here to help you guys.’ As far as what we do, it’ll be similar to last year—it’ll be bullpen by committee.”