Dodgers Sign Brian Wilson To One-Year Contract

From Dodgers

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today signed free-agent right-handed reliever Brian Wilson to a one-year contract.

Wilson, 31, has gone 20-20 with 171 saves in 315 career games with the Giants from 2006-12. The New Hampshire native has limited opposing hitters to a .238 batting average during the course of his career with 340 strikeouts in 320.0 innings. Wilson has also historically been a second-half pitcher with a 2.69 ERA in 149 career appearances after the All-Star break and pitched well in the postseason during the Giants’ 2010 World Series run, striking out 16 in 11.2 scoreless innings in postseason play.

From 2008-2011, Wilson was one of the Majors’ top relievers, earning three All-Star selections (2008, 2010, 2011) and leading the big leagues with 163 saves in 186 opportunities (87.6%). During that period, Wilson also ranked among the NL’s best relievers in wins (17, T-6th), innings pitched (264.1, 6th) and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (10.11, 12th). In 2010, Wilson tied the Giants all-time single-season saves record with 48 (also: Rod Beck, 1993), while successfully converting 24 consecutive save opportunities in 2008, which tied for the second-longest save streak in San Francisco history.

Wilson last pitched in the Majors on April 12, 2012 and underwent Tommy John surgery later that month on his right elbow.

Wilson was originally selected by the Giants in the 24th round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft out of Louisiana State University.

The Dodgers now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.

Written by Roger Arrieta

DodgersBeat Founder

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