The Colorado Rockies inked infielder Kazuo Matsui to a minor league contract on Tuesday.
Matsui was waived by the Houston Astros last week and cleared waivers on Monday to become a free agent.
Matsui was batting .141 this season with the Astros but was hitless in his last 20 appearances at the plate.
Matsui, the first Japanese infielder signed to play in Major League Baseball, played in 136 games for the Rockies in 2006-07 and was the starting second baseman in their run to the National League pennant in 2007.
He hit .300 with 30 doubles and 56 RBIs for the Rockies.
Matsui reported to the Colorado's Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs.
Copyright 2010 AFP American Edition
