Brian Wilson Throws Perfect Inning In 1st Minor League Outing For Dodgers
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (CBS/AP) - Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brian Wilson's first rehab appearance was brief, an eight-pitch first inning for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday night.
Earlier in the day, manager Don Mattingly said he wasn't concerned about Wilson's facial hair as long he gets results. Wilson sports a heavy, dark black beard.
Mattingly said he wasn't aware of any "facial hair rules" imposed by the Dodgers over the years.
"I guess if it was something that was a distraction for the whole club or whatever, then we'd deal with it," Mattingly said. "But I'm not really anticipating any problems."
The Dodgers are aware of fan comment regarding Wilson's stylings. Mattingly reiterated that it didn't matter.
"I don't really care what guys do, honestly," the manager said, "if they come here ready to play and respect the game from that standpoint."
The Dodgers signed the 31-year-old Wilson, who averaged 41 saves a year from 2008-11 for the San Francisco Giants, to a one-year contract that guarantees $1 million for the rest of the season on July 31. The three-time All-Star is coming back from reconstructive elbow surgery that in April 2012.
"Everything we hear, this guy's as competitive as can be," Mattingly said. "I know he threw the ball the last out of the World Series, we're looking for that side of it."
Wilson had two groundouts with a strikeout in a perfect first inning against visiting Lake Elsinore.
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