According to multiple reports this morning, the Dodgers have signed former San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson to a minor-league contract.

Wilson, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2012, tried out for the New York Mets in January but was unimpressive. Pitchers who undergo Tommy John surgery typically need 12 to 18 months to fully recover, sometimes more, so it stands to reason that Wilson has improved considerably in the last six months. He tried out recently with representatives from several teams in attendance; conveniently for the Dodgers, Wilson lives in Southern California.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti was the Giants’ assistant general manager in 2003, when San Francisco took Wilson in the 23rd round of the June draft. Evidently Wilson bore some resemblance to his pre-Tommy John self at the recent tryout, beard and all.

As we reasoned yesterday, the Dodgers don’t really need to add a player with the non-waiver trade deadline about 24 hours away. They still might make a trade. But signing a pitcher who’s appeared in two games since the end of 2011 — to a minor-league deal, no less — isn’t the kind of impact move that contenders gear up for at the trade deadline, regardless of his reputation or facial hair. Wilson’s resumé includes more saves from 2008 to 2011 (163) than any pitcher in baseball.

Rather it’s a move that signals the Dodgers are looking ahead to the postseason. Wilson has 10 games of postseason experience, all with the Giants during their 2010 World Series run. That year, he saved six games in seven opportunities. Wilson would still have to be added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster between now and October but, as was the case with Carlos Marmol, it makes sense for a contending team to stockpile former closers as Plans A, B and C should Kenley Jansen falter, or fall victim to illness (like last year) or injury.

The Dodgers have that luxury with Brandon League, Marmol and now Wilson.

Onto some bullet points:

• Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson tells colleague Mark Medina, “What we don’t want to happen is deplete our farm system. We’re trying to grow it instead of have it shrink.”

• ICYMI, Clayton Kershaw was interviewed on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night. Check out the links to Part 1 (Pluto) and Part 2 (Charity ping-pong tourney update).

• Mlive.com hit up Dodgers farm director De Jon Watson for progress reports on about half of the Great Lakes Loons.

• Pitchers appreciate him for his surgical skills, but reporters have always appreciated Dr. Frank Jobe for his availability and sharp memory. He’ll be honored in Cooperstown.

• Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker was bothered less by Yasiel Puig‘s slide into home plate Sunday than his slide into second base earlier in the game.

• On the occasion of the Yankees visiting Dodger Stadium, colleague Tom Hoffarth revisits Vin Scully’s opportunity (in 1964) to become the voice of the Yankees.

• You know who the Dodgers won’t see when the Yankees play Dodger Stadium today and tomorrow? Alex Rodriguez. The impending Rodriguez-Selig showdown is getting gloves-off intense.

• Kershaw, Part II: Baseball Analytics analyzes Public Enemy No. 1.

• Find out why the Dodger Stadium grounds crew is taking a jackhammer to the pitcher’s mound after Thursday’s game.

• The CB’s really channel the Jackson 5 on this semi-recent track, “Misdemeanour,” which isn’t surprising considering the song was written by Foster Sylvers, “a young member of the post-Jackson 5 family band The Sylvers.”