MINNEAPOLIS (AP) After four playoff appearances, including two trips to the World Series, in four years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rich Hill was a 39-year-old free agent coming off another elbow surgery.

Unlikely to return until at least June, Hill wanted to find a team to get him back to the World Series. The Minnesota Twins came calling, seeking Hill for just for that reason.

"He's coming back from an injury, but I think we feel the reward is significant because, qualitatively, he has been a stellar pitcher when he's been healthy," Minnesota general manager Thad Levine said. "He's pitched down the stretch in very tough situations and he's pitched in the postseason, so I think we're viewing him as a guy that has every bit a chance to start in a playoff series and that's important for us."