Giants ink Colvin to Minor League deal

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Looking to bolster their outfield depth and increase competition, the Giants signed Tyler Colvin to a Minor League contract Saturday. Colvin is expected in big league camp Sunday.

Colvin hit 20 home runs for the Cubs in 2011, his first full season in the Majors, and 18 with an .858 OPS in just 420 at-bats for the Rockies in '12.

"I've always liked his bat and the pop from it," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's an experienced player with a good bat. We're glad to have him here to give us some depth. He'll be in the mix."

Colvin fell on hard times last season, when he spent most of the year in Triple-A or on the disabled list. The left-handed hitter had a .160 average in 27 games with Colorado.

Colvin, 28, agreed to a Major League deal with the Orioles on Jan. 15. But Baltimore backed off after a physical apparently revealed back issues.

Tightness in his back cut short Colvin's 2013 season, but he said he feels good now.

"I know how my body feels. For somebody to tell me otherwise ... I'm ready to go," Colvin said. "I hurt it in Triple-A. Honestly, I just didn't stretch after a long rain delay. I got healed up and played one game, and that's when I got designated [for assignment]."

Colvin will wear No. 88 during Spring Training, a reminder of the work left to do.

"It definitely gives me something to work for," Colvin said. "Being No. 88 in camp is motivation to make the team and not [just] get noticed, but get back to where I was."