DENVER -- Mark Reynolds, who set career highs by batting .282 with a .356 on-base percentage in 118 games as the Rockies' primary first baseman last season, will return under a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp, the club announced Wednesday.Reynolds, 33, knocked 14 home runs and drove in 53 runs in a year that saw him miss time with two left hand fractures -- to his hamate bone on Aug. 12, which cost him 16 games, and on Sept. 18, when he was hit by a pitch, which cost him the remainder of the season. 
This offseason, the Rockies signed Ian Desmond for five years and $70 million to be the primary first baseman, which means Reynolds is most likely competing for a utility role.Reynolds played first base for all his defensive innings last season, except one -- an emergency appearance at second. However, he has 773 games at third base, and in 2015 with the Cardinals played mostly first and third, along with a few appearances at the outfield corners and one at second.The right-handed-hitting Reynolds also has some pinch-hitting potential. He actually hit better against righties (.297, .367 OBP, .498 slugging percentage) than lefties (.250/.331/.342) and could be an option against closers, should he make the squad. He was 3-for-5 with two walks in seven pinch-hit plate appearances last year, and is a .239 hitter with four homers in 80 career pinch-hit opportunities.Reynolds marks the second seasoned veteran headed to camp on a Minor League contract. Outfielder Chris Denorfia also has signed with the club. Also vying for bench roles are left-handed-hitting infielder-outfielder Alexi Amarista, signed for one year with a $1.25 million guarantee and a 2018 club option; switch-hitting infielder Cristhian Adames, who hit .218 overall but .275 as a pinch-hitter; and righty-hitting infielder Pat Valaika, who hit .263 with one homer in 19 plate appearances while debuting late last season.
Thomas Harding/ MLB.com
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