Ex-Cub DeRosa may need in-season wrist surgery

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants acknowledged Thursday that left fielder Mark DeRosa could need another surgery on his troublesome left wrist during the season if it doesn't improve -- though that will be a last resort.

On Tuesday, DeRosa told reporters he could need a second procedure on the wrist after calling the first one after last season a "failure." Manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday the comments caught the Giants by surprise because the matter hadn't been discussed between them before DeRosa said it publicly.

DeRosa was guarded with his words Thursday -- saying the Giants spoke to him about his earlier comments -- and said he didn't want to anger the club any more than he already had.

"I just think we weren't all on the same page. I'm just frustrated with the whole thing," DeRosa said, while also toning down his stance on the first surgery being botched. "I feel bad about that. Based on the MRI results, what was performed didn't work. I probably used the wrong choice of words. ... The guy came highly recommended. I had a great working relationship with him. It just didn't work."

DeRosa received a cortisone injection Wednesday and was out of the starting lineup for a fourth straight game Thursday against San Diego. He also had an MRI exam on his elbow after being hit there twice by St. Louis' Adam Wainwright late last month, just to rule out whether the elbow was contributing to the aggravated nerves in his wrist. The elbow was fine.

DeRosa will be given a few more days of rest and hopes to test his wrist by taking some swings this weekend. If he's not much better by Sunday, the Giants would likely place him on the disabled list.

"Mark is frustrated," Bochy said. "This guy has a lot of pride and gives you everything he's got. ... Right now, the route we're taking is to give it a little bit of time and see if this thing will calm down. If it does, we're better off."

DeRosa is in a 6-for-50 (.120) funk over his last 12 games, lowering his average from .267 to .194. He has one home run and 10 RBIs in his first season with San Francisco.

The Giants plan to take their time before deciding if DeRosa needs another procedure. If not during the season, he's likely to have the operation after the year is over.

"There's a good chance," athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said. "I know he's mentioned it. We're not going in that direction just yet. We're going to treat him, get him better and try to get him back on the field."