Brian

Giles

Eric Byrnes, Mark Ellis, OF Nick Swisher, RHP Aaron Harang, RHP Shane Komine, LF John Rheinecker and INF Freddie Bynum are the players the article said could go to Pittsburgh. We find it hard to believe that the Pirates would even consider a Giles deal with Oakland unless either Rich Harden or Bobby Crosby was involved. They’d have to get someone with star potential back in the deal. Giles, who has a limited no-trade clause, can block a deal to the A’s. He said Sunday he was unsure whether he would grant approval.

Giles’ contract allows him to refuse a trade to any team except Los Angeles, San Diego, Arizona, San Francisco, Colorado or Atlanta. The Padres are still looking like the leaders. The Pirates are said to be insisting that any team taking Giles must also take Jason Kendall’s salary. The Padres aren’t looking to add that much to their payroll, but they could use a catcher.

A slight tear of the tissue was detected during an MRI that was taken on Giles’ knee. If it proves to be significant, Giles could miss 4-6 weeks.

Surgery has been ruled out. For now, the frayed MCL in his right knee is expected to keep him out four weeks, with a best-case scenario of two weeks and a worst-case of six.

Giles is eligible to return on April 26, but he’s likely to be out until early next month.

Giles will wear a knee brace once he begins running and doing side-to-side motions. He said his knee may not be 100 percent healthy until this winter, but he’s hoping to be back in action in about two weeks.

The tonight part isn’t considered likely. Giles ran the bases without problem yesterday and pronounced himself fit. The Pirates would prefer Giles be examined by team medical personnel when they return home Friday, and then go on a 2-3 game rehab assignment, but Giles has the right to refuse that request

If the sprained ligament has healed sufficiently, Giles might be able to discard the knee brace he has been wearing since coming off the DL.

Giles expects the knee to be sore for a while. He’s at least a week away from coming off the DL.

Giles’ sprained right knee will be re-evaluated after he runs the bases today in Houston. The Pirates are desperate for offense, but we don’t want to believe they would rush Giles if he’s not truly ready.