Rockies add veteran slugger Moustakas

The Rockies signed veteran designated hitter-corner infielder Mike Moustakas to a Minor League contract on Sunday as an option at third base if Elehuris Montero is not fully ready to step into the position.

Second baseman Brendan Rodgers will have surgery to repair a dislocated and damaged left shoulder and could miss the entire season. The club’s immediate reaction was to move third baseman Ryan McMahon to second, where he played earlier in his career.

Montero, 24, who batted .233 with six home runs in a 53-game debut last year, has plenty of power potential but is working on his defense. That’s where the 34-year-old Moustakas, who was released by the Reds in January with one year left on his four-year, $64 million contract, gets a nothing-to-lose opportunity.