Rockies Sign Castilla to Minor League Deal

Vinny Castilla couldn’t contain the ear-to-ear grin. He smiled as photos were snapped, and grinned when he answered questions.

Castilla was elated to be back with the Colorado Rockies, agreeing Monday to terms on a minor league contract for his third stint with the franchise. He played for the Rockies from 1993 to 1999, and in 2004.

Castilla will spend some time with triple-A Colorado Springs as a designated hitter to work on his swing and test his sore knee. If everything goes as scheduled, Castilla will be brought up Sept. 1 when rosters expand. After the season, Castilla will retire and join the organization in an undetermined capacity.

The third baseman was released by the San Diego Padres on July 21 after hitting .232 with four home runs and 23 runs batted in. Castilla is a career .276 hitter and was a member of the Rockies’ only playoff team in 1995.

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The Oakland Athletics activated left-handed reliever Joe Kennedy from the disabled list after he had been sidelined since May 21 because of tendinitis in his throwing shoulder.

To clear a roster spot for Kennedy, Oakland optioned left-hander Ron Flores to triple-A Sacramento, ending his third stint of the season in the big leagues. Flores is expected to be a callup Sept. 1.

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Veteran left-hander Kent Mercker will undergo season-ending reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, the Cincinnati Reds said.

Mercker, 38, was put on the disabled list after pitching a scoreless inning in relief Friday night in Philadelphia. He has been on the disabled list three times this season because of elbow problems.

Mercker is 1-1 with a 4.13 earned-run average and one save in 37 relief appearances.

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Seattle Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson left the Bay Area to return to Seattle, where his wife underwent an emergency C-section and delivered twins.

Sexson was put on the bereavement list, which is a minimum of three days, and the Mariners recalled infielder-outfielder Mike Morse from triple-A Tacoma to take Sexson’s roster spot.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates put outfielder Nate McLouth on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained left ankle and recalled outfielder Rajai Davis from triple-A Indianapolis.

McLouth was hitting .233 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs as the Pirates’ fourth outfielder for most of the season.

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The San Francisco Giants designated infielder Jose Vizcaino for assignment and recalled infielder Kevin Frandsen from triple-A Fresno.

Vizcaino, a 15-year veteran, batted .210 with one home run and five RBIs in 64 games.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks put right-hander Greg Aquino on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his forearm.

To take his place, the Diamondbacks recalled right-hander Jose Valverde from triple-A Tucson.

Valverde was 1-0 with three saves and a 3.06 ERA in 15 games with Tucson.

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The Boston Red Sox recalled left-hander Craig Breslow in an effort to help their overworked and struggling bullpen.

Breslow was promoted from triple-A Pawtucket and catcher Corky Miller was designated for assignment.

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Former major leaguers Mike Kinkade and Chad Allen lead the roster for the U.S. national team that will compete in an Olympic qualifying tournament in Havana from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5.

Aruba, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will also compete, with the top two finishers advancing to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Former major league manager Davey Johnson will lead the U.S. team.