New Ulm Sports Central - Preserving and Sharing New Ulm Area Sports History

Jamie Hoffmann of New Ulm is now a Colorado Rockies property.

The move was announced Monday as the Dodgers placed the outfielder on waivers to make room for additions to the team's 40-man roster prior to the rule 5 draft this week.

Related articles as published Tuesday on the Internet websites of the Dodgers and Colorado included the following:

Rox claim Hoffmann off waivers from Dodgers
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | 12/05/11 7:42 PM EST

DALLAS -- The Rockies' claim of Jamie Hoffmann off waivers from the Dodgers on Monday gives the Rockies another right-handed-hitting outfield option, no matter whether they bring back arbitration-eligible Ryan Spilborghs.

Hoffmann, 27, spent most of last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he hit .297 with 22 home runs, 23 doubles, 84 RBIs and 14 steals in 133 games. He has hit .154 with a home run, two doubles and seven RBIs in 16 games from 2009 to 2011.

General manager Dan O'Dowd said bringing in Hoffmann doesn't necessarily spell the end for Spilborghs, a fan favorite who has hit .272 over seven seasons but dipped to .210 while battling plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The Rockies are monitoring Spilborghs' progress in the Mexican Winter League before deciding whether to tender him a contract offer. The Rockies must decide by Dec. 12 with all arbitration-eligible players.

Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2003 out of New Ulm (N.M.) High School, Hoffmann was chosen by the Nationals in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft and traded to the Yankees before being returned to the Dodgers during 2010 Spring Training.

The move brings the Rockies' 40-man Major League roster to 38. The roster will increase to 39 when catcher Ramon Hernandez's two-year, $6.4 million deal becomes official. Hernandez's agreement is pending a physical. Hernandez was in Denver on Monday.

Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Hardball in the Rockies, and follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Hoffmann claimed off waivers by Rockies
By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 12/05/11 4:10 PM EST

DALLAS -- The division-rival Rockies claimed outfielder Jamie Hoffmann off waivers from the Dodgers on Monday.

The 27-year-old Hoffmann has spent most of the last three seasons at Triple-A. He had brief call-ups of 14 games in 2009 and two games in '11. He has a .290 Minor League career batting average.

The Dodgers attempted to outright Hoffmann to Triple-A to keep him in the organization, but wanted to clear a spot off the 40-man roster to provide flexibility for an acquisition. The club is still looking for a utilityman who can play shortstop.

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Updated: December 5, 2011, 3:47 PM ET
Jamie Hoffmann to Rockies

By Tony Jackson
ESPNLosAngeles.com

DALLAS -- The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a valuable organizational player on Monday when outfielder Jamie Hoffmann was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers had waived Hoffmann to create flexibility on their 40-man roster, which had been at capacity.

Hoffmann, 27, appeared in 16 games for the Dodgers, 14 of them in 2009 and two in 2011, comprising his entire major league resume. Originally an undrafted free agent, he is a .290 hitter in seven minor league seasons, all with the Dodgers, but he has just four hits in 26 career at-bats, one of them a home run, in the majors.

The Dodgers' need to clear a roster spot could signify that they are about to add another free agent with baseball's winter meetings now in full swing.

Tony Jackson covers the Dodgers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.