Wilson records four outs in rehab appearance

LOS ANGELES -- Brian Wilson fired 1 1/3 scoreless innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday night, as the reliever moves closer to joining the Dodgers.

Wilson entered with two out in the seventh inning and retired the first batter he faced on a comebacker. The right-hander returned for the eighth and allowed the first hit of his rehab assignment in a scoreless inning. Wilson threw 21 pitches.

The Dodgers scrapped their plans to have Wilson pitch consecutive days, instead choosing to see how Wilson's surgically repaired right elbow responded to pitching in multiple innings.

Wilson could join the Dodgers as soon as this week. He's tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings in Triple-A, as well a perfect inning last week with Class A Rancho Cucamonga.

"He's been doing good. I think everybody is happy," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Tuesday. "I think we're going in the right direction."

The Dodgers signed Wilson, 31, as a free agent on July 30. The former Giants closer has not pitched in the Major Leagues since he had Tommy John surgery in April 2012. The Dodgers plan for Wilson to set up closer Kenley Jansen.

Mattingly said he has not met Wilson, though they have exchanged text messages.

"He told me he was working on his hitting," Mattingly said, half-joking.