Lynn Henning of the Detroit News reports that the Tigers are involved in "serious" negotiations with free agent reliever Brian Wilson.

Wilson and his agent, Dan Lozano, met with new Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on Sunday, which is an indication that the two sides could be moving closer to a possible deal. The 31-year-old proved effective after making it back from Tommy John surgery this past season and has a lengthy track record of success out of the closer role. Joe Nathan and Grant Balfour have also been mentioned in connection with the Tigers this offseason, but it appears that Wilson is their top target.

Buster Olney of ESPN believes that Brian Wilson may be the Tigers top preference among free agent closers.

The Tigers have displayed strong interest in Wilson and Joe Nathan in recent weeks, with Wilson likely to come at a lower price tag. The 31-year-old hurler excelled in 13 2/3 innings down the stretch for the Dodgers, surrendering just one earned run on eight hits while posting a 13/4 K/BB ratio. The Rockies, Indians and Reds are also believed to have interest in Wilson.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports lists the Giants, Dodgers, Indians, Tigers, Rockies, Mariners and Red Sox as the "most interested" teams for free agent Brian Wilson.

The Yankees had been in the running but were marked off Wednesday when Wilson said he would not comply with the team's strict policy on facial hair. The 31-year-old right-hander looked like his old self -- if not better -- after returning from Tommy John surgery this season. Brown also writes that the Reds "could jump in" the mix.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that the team will not sign Brian Wilson.

The Yankees have a team policy on facial hair and Wilson's agent told the club that Wilson will not shave his trademark beard. And that's the end of that. The 31-year-old right-hander was impressive after returning from Tommy John surgery this year and shouldn't have a problem finding a new team even with the Yankees out the mix.

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal report that the Tigers are interest in Brian Wilson.

Morosi notes that they have narrowed their choices to close next season to Wilson and Joe Nathan. Given owner Mike Ilitch's deep pockets, they should have no trouble signing one of them. Wilson, posted a 0.66 ERA in 13 2/3 innings down the stretch last season for the Dodgers after returning from Tommy John surgery. The Rockies are also known to have interest.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have interest in free agent Brian Wilson.

Renck says the Rockies are "casting a wide net" for power relievers this winter that includes Wilson and former A's closer Grant Balfour. Wilson, 31, posted a lights-out 0.66 ERA in 13 2/3 innings this past season for the Dodgers, revitalizing his career after Tommy John surgery. He should be able to cash in this offseason.

Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless first inning in his debut for the Dodgers on Thursday afternoon.

Wilson struck out Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton with a 94 mph fastball to open the frame and fanned Justin Ruggiano to end it. He yielded a Greg Dobbs pinch-hit double in between but generally looked sharp. The right-hander should be an asset in setup duty for Los Angeles.

Dodgers activated RHP Brian Wilson from the 15-day disabled list.

Wilson latched on with the Dodgers last month and tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the minors. Fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, the 31-year-old is expected to pitch in a set-up role for closer Kenley Jansen.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Dodgers will activate Brian Wilson (elbow) on Monday.

Wilson was cleared after making it through a simulated game Friday. The 31-year-old signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Dodgers last month and will serve in a setup role to Kenley Jansen.

Brian Wilson (elbow) will likely not be activated on Sunday but could be in the next day or two.

"You want him to be fresh. You don't want him to be sort of fresh. You want him to be totally fresh," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of the reasoning for not activating Wilson on Sunday. Either way, Wilson is close, and it seems just a matter of time before he's with the club.

Brian Wilson (elbow) will likely be activated by the Dodgers on Sunday, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Wilson threw a simulated game on Friday, likely the last hurdle for him to clear before activation, Plunkett said. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wouldn't commit to a date but said Wilson has "pretty much crossed off everything we wanted him to do." Kenley Jansen isn't in any danger of losing his gig, though, as the Dodgers will likely utilize Wilson as a high-leverage reliever.

Brian Wilson (elbow) threw another perfect rehab inning on Sunday at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The still-bearded right-hander has now made three appearances between High-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Albuquerque without allowing a hit or a walk. He could join the Dodgers' bullpen as early as this weekend to serve as a setup man in front of closer Kenley Jansen.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly clarified that Brian Wilson (elbow) will work in a setup role in front of closer Kenley Jansen once he returns from the disabled list.

This news surely doesn't come as a surprise, as Jansen is one of the most dominant late-inning relievers in the league. Wilson has looked sharp on his rehab assignment though, and could be a nice boost to the Dodgers bullpen down the stretch and into the postseason.

Brian Wilson (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Wednesday in a minor league rehab game with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

He struck out a batter and didn't allow a runner. Wilson is now expected to move to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he will make three appearances. That timetable could have him pitching out of the Dodgers bullpen within the next 10 days.

Brian Wilson (elbow) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

He's starting Wednesday night. He's next expected to move to Triple-A Albuquerque, where Wilson will make three appearances. The bearded reliever, rounding into game-shape following Tommy John surgery, should join the big club later this month.

Brian Wilson (elbow) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers last week and is expected to pitch in the minors for a couple of weeks as he gets into game-shape following Tommy John surgery. The bearded reliever should join the big club later this month.

Brian Wilson's new one-year contract with the Dodgers carries a $1 million base salary.

There's also a large chunk of change available through performance-based bonuses. Wilson signed with the Dodgers on Tuesday morning after considering offers from several other contending teams. He is going to rehab in the minors for the next couple of weeks.

Dodgers signed RHP Brian Wilson to a minor league contract.

That's right, the beard has landed. Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports was the first to report that a deal was reached. Wilson has reportedly felt "major-league ready" during his recent throwing sessions, but the plan calls for him to spend about two weeks in the minors before being called up. Fully recovered from Tommy John surgery, the 31-year-old could make a big impact in the Dodgers' bullpen down the stretch and possibly during the postseason.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers are the frontrunners to sign reliever Brian Wilson.

CBS Sports' Scott Miller reports that the Pirates and Giants are "serious suitors" for Brian Wilson.

He also lists the Dodgers and Diamondbacks as potential players for Wilson, but it sounds like they might be trailing the Pirates and Giants in the bidding. Miller notes that Wilson is "getting close" to signing and "feels major-league ready."