The Colorado Rockies announced the signings of infielder Matt Macri and outfielder Jeff Salazar, both former prospects who left the organization several years ago. These are depth signings that offer options should anyone on the major league club become injured.
Salazar was drafted by the Rockies in the eighth round of the 2000 draft and eventually worked his way up to Colorado in 2006. He had a September call-up with the team that year and hit 284/.409/.415 in 67 plate appearances. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Salazar off waivers prior to the start of the 2007 season. He moved to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, but then spent all of 2010 with the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A team, the Norfolk Tides.
Macri was taken in the fifth round of the 2004 draft and was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2007 for Ramon Ortiz. Macri appeared in 18 games with the Twins in 2008. He has played for their Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, each of the last two seasons.
The Rockies also signed infielder Tug Hulett, a 14th round draft pick by the Rangers in 2004. He was most recently in the Seattle Mariners’ organization.
All three will likely compete for jobs at Triple-A Colorado Springs, though an occasional game with the Rockies in spring training isn’t out of the question.