Rockies sign Yorvit Torrealba to minor-league contract

The Colorado Rockies have signed free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a minor-league contract, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post:

Confiirming that Yorvit Torrrealba has signed... It is a minor-league deal... Provides protection and depth with Ramon Hernandez in WBC

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 25, 2013

The Rockies had offered a minor-league contract to Torrealba earlier in the week, so it just came down to whether or not the veteran backstop would accept the deal.

The 34-year-old announced on his Twitter account that the contract will be for one year. While none of the reports explicitly state that the deal includes an invite to spring training, his big-league experience and Colorado's need for a third-string catcher make his presence at camp a sure thing.

The Rockies currently have youngster Wilin Rosario and the aging Ramon Hernandez as their two catching options. Rosario will get most of the starts, but Torrealba could come in handy as a back-up option if Hernandez's injury struggles continue.

Torrelba spent four years with the Rockies from 2006-2009, helping the franchise reach the World Series for the first time in 2007. The Venezuelan has played with four different clubs since his initial departure from the Mile-High City, grabbing playing time with the Padres, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Brewers.

Torrealba is a career .257/.316/.386 hitter in 12 major-league seasons, and has not demonstrated much of a split in his offensive numbers when playing at or away from Coors Field.