Colorado Rockies Sign Free Agent Reliever Matt Herges

The Colorado Rockies have signed free agent reliever Matt Herges to a minor league contract, the Denver Post reported Thursday.

The Indians designated Herges, 39, for assignment earlier this month; he officially became a free agent on Monday.

This is not Herges first rodeo with the Rockies; he was a significant piece of the Rockies bullpen during the club's run to the 2007 World Series.

Herges was having a respectable year with the Indians prior to his release; he had a 3.55 ERA in 25 appearances.

In his first go round with the Rockies Herges went 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 35 appearances during the regular season, but he shined in the postseason, allowing only two hits and no runs in seven innings.

With so few quality relievers available this is a solid pickup for the Rockies.  The Rockies signed Herges with the understanding that he could serve as valuable insurance policy, should reliever Manuel Corpas elbow injury continue to act up.  In addition the Rockies lost reliever Alan Embree to a broken leg earlier this month, and his return this season is still very questionable.  

The Rockies are currently 48-41, which puts them eight games behind the first place Dodgers in the NL West; however, the Rockies only remain a game and a half behind the Giants for the NL Wild Card.