Wieland wants to pitch in offseason games

SAN DIEGO -- Pitcher Joe Wieland, who had reconstructive elbow surgery in July 2012, is still hopeful he can pitch this winter to get a jump-start on the 2014 season.

"I want to get some innings, even if it's 10 or 15 innings," Wieland said Wednesday. "I want to make sure that it's healthy. I don't want to go to Spring Training in the dark wondering if it's going to happen again."

Wieland's rehabilitation had been going smoothly until summer when he suffered the first of what he called three similar setbacks, soreness in the elbow area that was later diagnosed as a stress reaction.

Up to that point, Wieland's rehabilitation was without any drama. He threw 100 pitches off a mound in April and was looking forward to pitching in Minor League games at the end of the season.

Now, Wieland just wants to get a few innings somewhere -- Arizona Fall League or winter ball abroad -- before heading to Spring Training in February.

"At this point, it will probably take me a month or so to get ready to get into a game," Wieland said.

Wieland, who could join the mix of candidates who will compete for a starting job next spring, was 0-4 with a 4.55 ERA in five starts last season before suffering the elbow injury.