The Twins reached agreement with free-agent righthander Mike Pelfrey on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The deal won't be finalized until he passes a physical.
According to Internet reports, Pelfrey will receive $4 million in 2013 with the chance of earning another $1.5 million in incentives.
Pelfrey started three games last season for the New York Mets before being lost for the year due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, which required Tommy John reconstructive surgery. He has indicated that he should be ready to go for the start of the 2013 season, but nothing will be known for sure until he makes it through spring training.
Pelfrey, 28, is a 2005 first-round pick by the Mets who went 50-54 in seven seasons. His best year came in 2010, when he went 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA, pitching 204 innings. He slumped to 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA in 2011.
Twins General Manager Terry Ryan was not available for comment Sunday. The Twins normally don't announce free-agent signings until the player passes a physical.
If the Twins do sign Pelfrey, he would join Scott Diamond, Vance Worley and Kevin Correia in the projected 2013 rotation. The Twins, however, might continue to look at pitching options for the remainder of the offseason.
