Colorado’s surge into contention paid dividends as Matt Herges returned to the organization for a shot to play in a pennant chase.

Herges, an 11-year reliever who recently was released by Cleveland, is expected to be activated by the Sky Sox today after signing a minor-league contract before Saturday’s game.

“There were other teams showing major-league interest, and hopefully that will be the way it works out with Colorado, too,” said Herges, who appeared in 93 games for the Rockies between 2007 and 2008. “There was one team on the East Coast and another on the West Coast, which I like, but they aren’t in the hunt.”

Herges, 39, was a key figure in the Rockies’ World Series run in 2007, going 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 35 appearances. He threw seven scoreless postseason innings.

Herges, who was 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in 21 appearances with Cleveland, credited a close relationship with Rockies manager Jim Tracy, his manager with the Dodgers in 2001 and a guest at his wedding, with helping his decision.

Matt Herges Photo by