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Rincon brings experience to Rox's 'pen

Reliever's eight years in AL will help in Interleague Play

By Quinn Roberts / MLB.com

06/23/09 2:47 AM ET

ANAHEIM -- While the makeup of the Rockies bullpen has continued to change since early this year, the addition of righty Juan Rincon is expected to make an impact.

Rincon, a veteran right-handed reliever, was called up after Colorado's setup man Manuel Corpas was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a bone chip in his right elbow. In his Rockies debut on Monday, he threw a scoreless eighth inning, walking one and striking out one in the 11-1 victory over the Angels.

Rincon began his ninth Major League season with the Tigers before being designated for assignment on May 13 to make way for starter Dontrelle Willis. While with Detroit, he went 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA in seven games.

After joining the Rockies organization on May 25, Rincon went 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA and three saves at Triple-A Colorado Springs. While there, he also had 11 strikeouts and three walks in 8 2/3 innings.

Reliever Matt Daley has seen first hand the presence Rincon can have on a team after a stint in Triple-A Colorado Springs in late May to rehab his sprained left foot.

"He brings a lot of experience and knows exactly what he wants to do and how to get hitters out," said Daley.

Rincon, who from 2001-08 pitched for the Minnesota Twins, is 32-27 lifetime with a 3.84 ERA and three saves in 416 Major League games.

Rincon's experience in the American League could not come at a better time for the Rockies, who are in the midst of a three-game series with the Angels, then head to Oakland to play a three-game set.

"The experience that he brings, especially in Interleague series, playing with the Twins for all those years brings a lot of information that can be relayed back to us," said Daley.

Quinn Roberts is an associate reporter with MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.