Greg

Vaughn

Kevin Witt, also reassigned to minor league camp on Saturday, talked about leaving for Japan.

Vaughn, who has nine homers and 26 RBI at Colorado Springs, and Garrett Atkins are the probable callups if the Rockies go with 11 pitchers. Vaughn could be useful as the DH when the team is in AL parks. If Vaughn is not in the majors by June 15, his contract allows him to leave the organization.

Vaughn will exercise the right if not called up by the Rockies on the escape date, according to Eric Goldschmidt. The Rockies are considering calling up either Vaughn or Garrett Atkins for interleague play. Brent Butler is a candidate to be sent down.

The Rockies don’t think Vaughn is a good fit defensively in NL parks, and even when interleague play moves to AL stadiums, manager Clint Hurdle would prefer to use the DH as a way to give guys like Larry Walker and Todd Helton a breather. Hurdle has also decided against promoting third base prospect Garrett Atkins for similar reasons, preferring that Atkins stay at Triple-A to work on his defense. That said, Hurdle still plans to go with 11 pitchers during interleague play. Vic Darensbourg is considered the pitcher most likely to be designated for assignment, while Ben Petrick or Rene Reyes could come up to be an extra bat off the bench.

Ron Belliard’s injury could actually make a difference here. If Belliard goes on the DL, the Rockies might re-think their decision not to call up Vaughn. They have until Tuesday to decide.

If the Rays acquire another hitter, Greg Vaughn might be out of a job. As is, he’ll probably be kept as a part-time DH.

Greg Vaughn has gone 5-for-15 with two homers and three RBI. ''We brought him to swing the bat, and he’s doing that,’' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''We are just going to have to find ways to get him at-bats by mixing and matching things up.’' That’s not enough to give Vaughn much value, though.

Vaughn would really like to rejoin the Reds, but GM Jim Bowden isn’t eager to sign the 37-year-old. They may prefer just to call up Jose Guillen as a reserve outfielder.

More good news for Ben Petrick and Luke Allen. Vaughn will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He might join the Colorado bench at some point, but it’s very unlikely that he will ever be a regular for the Rockies.

Intelligence. Cool.