Colorado Rockies Sign Josh Rutledge to Minor League Deal

Josh Rutledge started his Major League Baseball career with the Colorado Rockies. On Wednesday, it was announced that he will be returning to his roots in 2017.

The Rockies have agreed to terms with Rutledge on a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training. The infielder played for three seasons in Colorado from 2012-2014.

Rutledge was drafted in the third round of the 2010 MLB amateur draft and found himself playing second base, shortstop and third base during his three-year run at Coors Field. His best statistical season with the Rockies came in 2012 when he hit eight homers and 37 RBI while batting .274.

His time in Colorado came to an end in December of 2014 when he was traded to the Angels for reliever Jairo Diaz, who is still on Colorado’s 40-man roster. Rutledge never made it to the big leagues with the Angels, spending the first part of the 2015 season in Triple-A.

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He found a second chance with the Boston Red Sox when he was traded by the Angels in exchange for Shane Victorino and cash. However, he played just 67 games over the course of two seasons with the Red Sox, partly because of a knee injury that occurred in June of 2016. His season came to an end when surgery happened in August.

Earlier this month, rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A with the Red Sox, Rutledge elected to pursue free agency. That set up his reunion with the Rockies.

Next: Is This Tyler Chatwood's Final Season in Colorado?

With DJ LeMahieu at second, Trevor Story at shortstop and Nolan Arenado at third base, the addition of Rutledge is expected to provide depth at each position with Major League experience.