Wilson works for SF

Pitching for the first time in 10 days after a finger infection, Giants closer Brian Wilson tossed a shutout inning on Friday night. Wilson took Saturday off. He's expected to pitch Sunday in the Giants final tune up, making him available for opening day on Monday.

Wilson throws bullpen session - pitches Friday?

Concerns that San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson might miss the season were quelled Thursday before the Giants exhibition with Oakland. His infected finger is not affecting his ability to pitch.

The Giants closer tested his ailing finger during a bullpen session before the game Thursday and earned a thumbs-up from his manager.

"He's good to go,'' Bruce Bochy said.

Wilson dismissed published speculation that an infected middle finger jeopardized his status for opening day. Wilson said he planned to make his scheduled appearance tonight against the A's and then pitch again Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It wasn't a factor and it hasn't been a factor,'' Wilson said of his finger. "They're just being cautious."

The only concern here is if Wilson doesn't pitch on Friday night.

Fantasy Impact: If Wilson is healthy, there's no apparent competition he needs to fend off in the Giants bullpen. Pitchers like Bob Howry and Merkin Valdez have a nice makeup, but they've owned a closer role. If we believe everything is OK, Wilson should be fine by Monday, if not, the Giants will likely go closer by committee without a definite alternative.

Burriss wins 2b job

Emmanuel Burriss has beaten out Kevin Fransden for the Giants second base job. Fransden didn't even make the team as a backup, getting optioned to the minors.
Fantasy Impact: Not too much of a surprise here. Burriss can become a sleeper prospect, but he can still lose starting time to Ray Durham and/or Eugenio Velez. He's worth a flier in deeper leagues at this time.

Furcal: no contract from A's

Rafael Furcal says the A's have not offered him a contract.

"The whole thing is wrong," sports agent Paul Kinzer said of El Caribe's claim that the A's have offered Furcal a four-year, $48 million deal. A well-placed A's source called the report "untrue" without elaborating further.

El Caribe also reported that the Mets have made Furcal an offer to play second base, and Kinzer said, "We haven't even had any discussions with the Mets, if that gives you an idea how inaccurate this is."

Kinzer said Furcal hopes to narrow his choice of clubs down to two in the next few days. Furcal is talking with the Giants and his former club, the Dodgers. Both the A's and Giants have seen Furcal's medical reports; the 31-year-old missed much of last season following back surgery. Considering this is a holiday week, there's a good chance that negotiations would continue into December.

Sounds like Furcal's options are limited, and the Giants are the best possibilit at this time. Then again, this comes from a Bay Area newspaper, so the questions my be stilted.