Reliever Brian Wilson returns for L.A. Dodgers

Former All-Star closer Brian Wilson acknowledged feeling butterflies in the bullpen as he warmed up Thursday, which was understandable since he hadn’t pitched in 16 months. Once on the mound, he took a deep breath and was ready to go. “I only have a brief moment out there, and I can either crumble or rise to the occasion,” he said. “I can tell you crumbling isn’t something I’d like to do.” Instead, Wilson took the biggest step yet in his comeback from Tommy John surgery, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to seal the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 6-0 victory over the Miami Marlins in Miami. Wilson gave up a two-out double, struck out two and looked a lot like the pitcher who saved 171 games for the San Francisco Giants. “It felt normal,” the bearded right-hander said. “It was long overdue, a very arduous process, but I’m glad I went through it so I could appreciate baseball even more.” – AP