MLB

Former Mets starter Pelfrey signs one-year deal with Twins

Big Pelf has a new home.

Mike Pelfrey, a career-long Met, has agreed on a one-year, $4 million deal with the Twins with another $1.5 million available in incentives, a source familiar with the situation confirmed. CBS Sports first reported the news on its website.

The right-hander, who turns 29 in January, pitched in just three games for the 2012 Mets before going down with a right elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He hopes to be ready for Opening Day.

Drafted ninth overall in 2005, Pelfrey alternately pleased and frustrated the Mets and never attained the ace status for which the team hoped. Nevertheless, he pitched at least 184 1/3 innings each season from 2008 through 2011, contributing value as an innings-eater. The Mets didn’t tender him a contract last month, making him a free agent.

The Mets had expressed some interest in bringing back Pelfrey, and with R.A. Dickey close to being traded to Toronto (once the knuckleballer agrees upon an extension), there is now an opening in the team’s starting rotation.

But the Twins appealed to Pelfrey because their home stadium, Target Field, is considered a good ballpark for sinker-ball pitchers. Furthermore, Pelfrey relished the notion of a fresh start, according to a friend of his.