Chicago, IL (AHN) - The Chicago White Sox are welcoming back their former ace Bartolo Colon via a one-year, incentive-laden deal with hopes of the righty making the five-man rotation come spring.

The former AL Cy Young winner was inked Thursday to a non-guaranteed contract worth $1 million, with an additional $2 million if he exceeds a certain range of innings pitched this next season.

Colon pitched for only one season with the White Sox in 2003, but it was then that the burly right-hander totaled the most number of innings in his career, 242, while winning 15 of his 34 starts.

The 12-year veteran battled back problems all of last season, which limited him to seven games with Boston.

A strained back forced him to the 60-day disabled list and upon return, was sent to the Red Sox bullpen.

Colon never liked his demotion to the bullpen and the Red Sox suspended him without pay in late September.

At Chicago, general manager Ken Williams is convinced Colon still has a lot left in his tank.

A former 21-game winner back with the Los Angeles Angels in 2005, a healthy Colon should compete for a spot as the no. 4 starter with the White Sox.

Next spring's rotation will be anchored by Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Gavin Floyd, leaving two more slots open for Colon, Clayton Richard, Lance Broadway, Aaron Poreda and Jeff Marquez.

Colon, whose return to Chicago hinges on passing a physical, has pitched more than 2,000 innings in the majors. He owns a career 150-97 record with a 4.09 ERA.

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