Bartolo Colon is staying in the Texas Rangers organization after all.
The Rangers announced Monday that the popular 44-year-old right-hander has re-signed on a minor-league contract just two days after they released him.
Colon will be assigned to Triple-A, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
While he was cut Saturday, Colon's re-signing wasn't that big of a surprise for several reasons. He had a productive spring training, posting a 3.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts over five Cactus League starts; additionally, the Rangers - who have acknowledged they're going to try a six-man rotation - have yet to name their starter for the season's fifth game, on April 2 at Oakland.
Colon, who won the 2005 Cy Young Award with the Los Angeles Angels, posted a 6.48 ERA and averaged 5.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 28 starts for the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins last season. His 240 career wins leave him just six shy of passing Dennis Martinez for the most wins by a Latin-American born pitcher - a goal that's apparently been on Colon's mind while trying to extend his career.
In addition to re-uniting with Colon, Texas also re-signed third baseman Trevor Plouffe to a minors deal. Plouffe had also been in camp on a minor-league contract before getting his release this week, and he'll join Colon at Triple-A Round Rock while awaiting a possible call-up.
