"The Twins took a calculated gamble when they signed relief pitcher Joel Zumaya to an $850,000, one-year contract plus incentives last week.

"If he comes back, boy, he's a real good sign for (the Twins)," Jim Leyland said.

Leyland, the esteemed Detroit Tigers manager, had Zumaya, 27, when the right-hander's fastball could hit 100 mph two seasons ago. He shattered his elbow during the 2010 season pitching at Target Field and since has had two surgeries.

"Joel is one of our favorites, one of our sons," Leyland said. "We brought him up as a kid. He's got a great arm, and he's a great guy. It's just unfortunate that he's been injured.

"Things didn't work out. We were hoping to get him back, but the fact that he got a major league contract was huge."

The Tigers would have allowed Zumaya to try out in spring training but didn't offer a major league deal.

"He's a tremendous guy. You'll love him," Leyland said. "