CJ gets second opinion; Freese's return near?

CHICAGO -- Angels starter C.J. Wilson had already decided he could no longer pitch on Aug. 2, but he still hasn't officially made up his mind after a second opinion on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, manager Mike Scioscia said Wilson's meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache revealed nothing new, but that the decision on the future is the left-hander's alone to make. This came after Wilson told reporters earlier in the month he would be done for the season with an elbow injury -- eight bone spurs -- that would require surgery.

"Once he gets all the information, I'm sure we'll get the results from it and see what C.J.'s decision is," Scioscia said. "He's got results of everything, we just have to wait until C.J. digests them, and then see what direction he wants to go."

Wilson was placed on the disabled list Aug. 1 after pitching the entire season with discomfort in his elbow. The 34-year-old dealt with an elbow injury early in his career, having Tommy John Surgery in 2008.

While the Angels prepare for a playoff push without Wilson, they are anticipating having third baseman David Freese back in the near future. Freese continues to recover from a broken right index finger after a pitch hit him on July 22.

Video: MIN@LAA: Freese exits game with fractured finger

Freese's biggest struggle has been throwing the ball, gradually increasing the distance at which he can throw each day. But Freese's swing has come back well, which could allow him to come back sooner as a designated hitter.

"He had a good session today hitting," Scioscia said. "Right now, his playing is going to be contingent on throwing the baseball, and that's still coming. It's not where we're looking at day to day. We've got to get him throwing the ball comfortably before he's going to return to us, and he's still a little ways away."

Scioscia won't make any decisions on how soon Freese makes his return. 

"We need somebody to play third base," Scioscia said. "We don't have the roster flexibility to carry him as a DH right now. But we definitely want David back and playing third base every day for us, and hopefully we're moving closer to that."