DENVER, June 4 (UPI) -- The Colorado Rockies have purchased the contract of outfielder Greg Vaughn from Triple-A Colorado Springs of the Pacific Coast League.
The purchase was made following Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Indians.
Vaughn, 37, one of just 10 National League players to hit 50 home runs in a season, signed a minor league contract with the Rockies on April 9 after being released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Vaughn batted .295 with 10 homers and 32 RBI in 34 games for Colorado Springs.
"We're looking for a little more of a bat, not just here (Coors Field), but to take with us on the road," said Colorado Manager Clint Hurdle. "This guy's got experience. He's another guy who has credentials, and he's a solid guy off the field as far as leadership."
The Rockies own the best home record in the major leagues at 22-8, but they are just 7-22 on the road.
To make room for Vaughn, the Rockies optioned outfielder Gabe Kapler to Colorado Springs.
Acquired from the Texas Rangers at last year's trade deadline, Kapler hit just .224 with no homers and four RBI in 39 games this season for the Rockies.
"We're just trying to give him an opportunity to go down and get some consistent at-bats and get on some kind of offensive roll so he can help us in the future," Hurdle said of the decision to demote Kapler.
