Rockies sign Josh Roenicke to minor-league deal

The Colorado Rockies have signed right-hander Josh Roenicke to a minor league contract, according to MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo. The 32-year-old reliever will head to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Roenicke has spent the entirety of the 2014 season with the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse, where he has been primarily used as a starter despite having not started a game at any professional capacity entering the season. Not surprisingly, he has struggled, posting a 5.45 ERA and 1.19 K/BB in 79.1 innings pitched. The Nationals released Roenicke early last week.

Roenicke has spent time at the big league level every year since 2008, excluding this season. In parts of six seasons with the Reds, Blue Jays, Rockies, and Twins, he has a 4.17 ERA, 106 ERA+, 4.37 FIP. 1.44 K/BB, and 1.8 WAR in 220.1 innings. The nephew of Brewers' manager Ron Roenicke, he enjoyed the best season of his career with the Rockies in 2012, notching a 3.25 ERA, 143 ERA+, and 2.0 WAR in 88.2 innings pitched, so Colorado brings him back in hopes that he can return to providing value as a middle reliever.