Yankees sign former Twins lefthander Eric Milton

Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune

Eric Milton, shown in this 2003 file photo, was signed Friday to a minor league contract by the New York Yankees.

Last update: July 11, 2008 - 10:55 PM

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TORONTO - Lefthander Eric Milton, who pitched six seasons with the Twins, signed a minor league contract Friday with the Yankees, returning to the organization that drafted him.

New York took Milton 20th overall in the June 1996 draft. The Twins acquired him two years later in the deal that sent Chuck Knoblauch to New York.

Milton had elbow surgery in June 2007. He will be assigned to Class AAA Scranton and put on the disabled list, allowing him to continue rehabbing at New York's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla.

"Obviously, we'll have to see how he does," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "It's the beginning stages of him trying to get back to the big leagues."

Milton, 32, went 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA in six starts for the Cincinnati Reds last season. His career record is 87-84.

The highight of Milton's tenure with the Twins came on Sept. 11, 1999 when he became the fifth pitcher in Twins history to pitch a no-hitter. Milton joined Scott Erickson, Jack Kralick (who threw the first), and Dean Chance (who had two).

Milton walked two and struck out 13 in the Twins' 7-0 victory over the Anaheim Angels in the Metrodome. Denny Hocking homered and drove in three runs to back Milton's no-hit pitching.

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