Dodgers DFA Brian Wilson

With the Dodgers officially signing starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, the club created roster space for McCarthy by designating veteran reliever Brian Wilson for assignment, the club announced.

Wilson, who is set to make $9.5 million in 2015, is coming off arguably the worst season of his career. After a strong 18-game stint during an injury-shortened 2013 season, the Dodgers re-signed Wilson for the 2014 season, with a player option for 2015. For the 2014 season, Wilson posted a 4.66 ERA in 61 appearances, along with a 5.40 BB/9 rate, which was his worst rate since his 2006 rookie season with the Giants. Even though Wilson posted a strong 10.06 K/9 rate, he was worth a -0.4 WAR, according to Fangraphs. Assuming the Dodgers cannot find a trade partner willing to pay all of Wilson's 2015 salary, the move means the Dodgers will be paying over $50 million in 2015 to players no longer on their current roster (Matt Kemp and Dan Haren).

For Wilson's career, he has posted a 3.30 ERA over 394 appearances. After breaking in with the San Francisco in 2006, Wilson would pitch seven seasons with the Giants until 2012, serving as the team's closer from '08-'11. In his four-year stint as the club's closer, Wilson would average over 40 saves per season, and would go on to appear in three All-Star games. One week into the 2012 season, Wilson would suffer a season-ending elbow injury, forcing the former LSU Tiger to undergo Tommy John surgery. After recovering for most of the 2013 season, Wilson would join the LA Dodgers on July 30, 2013. Wilson's brief stint with the Dodgers would prove crucial to the team's success. For the 2013 regular season, Wilson posted a 0.66 ERA over 18 appearances, and followed that up with six scoreless innings during the Dodgers' 2013 playoff appearance.