The Rockies have signed infielder Vimael Machin to a minor league contract, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. The agreement contains an invite for Machin to attend Colorado’s big league Spring Training camp.
Machin heads to the Cactus League in a bid to win a bench spot on the Rockies’ Opening Day roster. He’ll join Nicky Lopez and Chad Stevens as other MLB-experienced players the Rockies have recently signed as non-roster invitees, as Colorado looks to add some veteran depth as a complement to its young infield core.
The 32-year-old Machin played in 112 games with the Athletics from 2020-22, with 73 of those appearances coming in 2022 when the A’s used Machin regularly at third base. This marked the end of Machin’s MLB playing time for the next two seasons, as Machin spent the 2023-24 campaigns playing in the Phillies’ farm system and in the Mexican League.
After inking a minor league deal with the Orioles last winter, Machin hit .286/.347/.476 over 505 plate appearances with Triple-A Norfolk in 2025. This strong production earned him another ticket to the Show when Jordan Westburg hit the injured list in August, and Machin appeared in four games for Baltimore before he was designated for assignment and then outrighted off the 40-man roster.
Machin’s career slash line is only .204/.286/.264 over 373 PA, but he can handle all four infield positions, and he has spent some time as a corner outfielder. Machin isn’t considered to be much of a defender at any spot on the diamond, but his versatility allows him to be plugged into any position in a pinch. He also has two minor league options years remaining, giving Colorado the flexibility to move him back and forth from Triple-A if his contract is selected.