COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.-
The Colorado Rockies purchased the contracts of outfielder Steve Finley and utility player John Mabry from the minor leagues on Friday after an exhibition game against Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.
The team also optioned outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to Colorado Springs and designated outfielder Alexis Gomez for assignment.
Finley gets a $1 million salary and can earn $350,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 500 and 525 plate appearances, $75,000 each for 550 and 575, and $100,000 for 600.
Mabry gets $750,000 and can earn $350,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 400 plate appearances and each additional 25 through 550.
“I think Mabry’s experience speaks to a need we had,” Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said after a 5-3 loss to its Colorado Springs Sky Sox farm team.
Mabry hit .382 in spring training. Still, he was worried about the making the team because Spilborghs batted .412 and drove in 11 runs. Gomez hit .333.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Mabry said. “The other guys played great, too. Everybody swung the bat well.”
Spilborghs had an option remaining so he knew being sent down was a possibility.
“I know I’m good enough to play. I’ve just got to wait my turn,” Spilborghs said. “It’s always a tough pill to swallow. But when you lose to a guy like John Mabry, you can’t be too upset. He’s a great guy.”
Finley, entering his 19th season, hit .255 in spring training.
