Vinny Castilla, a fan favourite in two stints with the Colorado Rockies, agreed to a minor-league contract with the team and is expected to join the expanded roster in September.
The 39-year-old third baseman was released by the San Diego Padres on July 21 after hitting .232 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 72 games. Castilla is a career .276 hitter and was a member of the Rockies' only playoff team in 1995.
``In the brief history of our franchise, few players have endeared themselves to Rockies fans as much as Vinny,'' Rockies president Keli McGregor said Monday.
The team said Castilla will join the organization in an undetermined role after he retires.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
