Cesar Tordesillas

Minneapolis, MN

The Minnesota Twins have signed right-hander Mike Pelfrey to a one-year deal with a base salary of $4 million and incentives that could reach another $1.5 million, hoping that he could provide boost to their rotation.

The source said the deal is pending a physical.

The 28-year-old Pelfrey started three games for the New York Mets during the 2012 season before undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 1 that cost him the remainder of the season.

Last month, the Mets had non-tendered Pelfrey after earning $5.7 million last year.

Pelfrey recently expressed confidence that he would be ready for normal workload during spring training despite the fact that one year is needed to recover from ligament-replacement surgery.

The pitcher has already been facing batters at his former college program, Wichita State University.

"I'm on track for Jan. 15. So everything is going well," Pelfrey said. "Tim Hudson came back in seven months (from Tommy John surgery). Joba Chamberlain last year came back in eight before he broke his ankle. And I'll be about eight and a half or so. I'll definitely be ready when spring training rolls around."

A 2005 first-round pick, Pelfrey went 50-54 with a 4.36 ERA in 153 appearances (149 starts) during seven seasons with the Mets.

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Twins Sign Mike Pelfrey to One-Year Deal