their Triple-A affiliate the Indianapolis Indians of the AA in 1962; used as a starter this time, Worthington had a 15–4 record, ranking among the AA leaders in several categories. His 15 wins tied with Frank Kreutzer's total for third, his .789 winning percentage led the league, his 2.94 ERA was second to Connie Grob's 2.86 mark (among pitchers who threw at least 150 innings), his three shutouts were tied with Kreutzer and Gary Peters for second, his 217 innings pitched ranked third, and his 149 strikeouts were two behind Chi-Chi Olivo's total. This attracted interest from other teams, and the New York Mets were prematurely and erroneously reported by The New York Times and the Associated Press to have purchased his contract in October. Cincinnati Reds (1963–64) Worthington was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Rule 5 draft on November 26, instead. A part of Cincinnati's bullpen in 1963, he made his first appearance in the major leagues in three years on April 10, allowing four runs (three earned) in one inning in a 10–7 loss to the Phillies. On May 15, he relieved Jim Maloney to begin the sixth inning and threw four scoreless innings, earning the save in a 10–2 victory over the Cubs. Exactly two months later, he entered in the ninth and struck out six in four scoreless innings, earning the win as the Reds defeated the Milwaukee Braves 4–3 in 12 innings. On September 17, with one out in the second and the Reds trailing the Houston Colt .45s by a score of 3–2, Worthington relieved Joe Nuxhall and pitched scoreless innings, earning the win in a 4–3 victory. At a team party late in the year, his teammates gave him a pair of binoculars as a joke. In 50 games, he had a 4–4 record, a 2.99 ERA, 55 strikeouts, 31 walks, and 75 hits allowed in innings pitched. Worthington began 1964 with the Reds as well but was sent to San Diego (now Cincinnati's Triple-A affiliate) after posting a 10.29 ERA in six games. "It always takes me a while to get going in the spring," he said. With San Diego, he made 10 appearances (two starts), posting a 4–1 record, a 3.18 ERA, 30 strikeouts, eight walks, and 29 hits allowed in 34 innings. On June 26, his contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota Twins (1964–69) "It was