Reports: Saunders signs with Rockies

Victoria, B.C., native and former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders has reportedly signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

By Kevin Glew

Canadian Baseball Network

According to multiple reports, Victoria, B.C., native Michael Saunders has signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies.

The left-handed hitting outfielder hasn’t suited up at a professional level since he was released by the Chicago White Sox on June 21. He played a combined 38 games in triple-A in the White Sox and Orioles organizations in 2018 and batted .158 with two home runs.

The 32-year-old Canadian has struggled since his all-star campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016 in which he belted a career-best 24 home runs in 140 games.

He split 2017 between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Blue Jays, where he hit a combined .202 with six home runs in 73 games. His last major league action came with the Blue Jays at the end of the 2017 campaign when he registered three hits in 18 at bats in a 12 contests with the club.

In all, Saunders has batted .232 and socked 81 home runs in parts of nine big league seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Blue Jays and Phillies.

The Canuck veteran is also set to suit up for the Canadian national team at the Pan Am Games qualifier in Sao Paulo, Brazil beginning on January 29.