SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Reliever Tim Worrell is returning to San Francisco after agreeing Thursday to a $4 million, two-year contract with the Giants.

Worrell, who pitched in San Francisco from 2001-03, spent the past two seasons in Philadelphia and Arizona. He had a strong finish to 2005, going 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his last 18 outings for the Diamondbacks.

He missed two months earlier in the season when he was placed on the disabled list with what he called “personal psychological issues.”

“We scouted Timmy very heavily last season and his final stretch showed us that he’s still capable of pitching the way he did when he helped us to a World Series and an NL West championship,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. “He’s certainly a known commodity for us and a solid veteran presence for our bullpen.”

Worrell was a valuable setup man when the Giants went to the World Series in 2002 and then took over as closer the following year when Robb Nen went down with an injury. He saved a career-high 38 games in 2003 and had a 2.87 ERA, helping San Francisco win the NL West.

He will help set up for closer Armando Benitez in San Francisco next season.

The 38-year-old is 45-57 with 65 saves and a 3.89 ERA in his career that began in 1993 with San Diego. He went 1-2 with one save and a 4.07 ERA over 51 appearances last season for Philadelphia and Arizona.

He gets a $500,000 signing bonus, $1.5 million next year and $2 million in 2007.

AP-ES-12-01-05 1911EST

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