MINNEAPOLIS — Carl Pavano is headed back to the Minnesota Twins with a new $16.5 million, two-year contract.

The team announced the deal on Wednesday night.

Pavano went 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA and seven complete games last season to help the Twins win the AL Central title. The right-hander pitched 221 innings, the second-highest total in his injury plagued career.

Pavano came to Minnesota in a 2009 trade with Cleveland and has enjoyed a career resurgence after three tough seasons with the Yankees.

He’ll once again join a Twins rotation that includes Francisco Liriano and Scott Baker, with Brian Duensing, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey likely battling for the final two spots.