The Colorado Rockies are looking to the past to add some depth to the roster. Kazuo Matsui, a key player during the Rockies’ highly improbable 2007 World Series run, has signed a minor-league deal with Colorado, according to MLB.com. If Matsui passes a physical–which is not guaranteed, considering his history of back problems–he’ll head to Colorado Springs to play for the Sky Sox.

“We are looking to do something similar to (2006),” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd tells The Denver Post, referring to a plan that brought Matsui to the team from the New York Mets and saw him flourish in the team’s minor-league system. “(We want to) put him in the minor leagues and see where he’s at. There is no guarantee of a call-up. We all remember the magic of 2007. But I also know that this is 2010.”

Rockies fans remember Matsui’s clutch hits during the 2007 postseason, but there’s a reason he’s available. The Houston Astros cut him last week after Matsui posted a dismal .141 in 27 games this season. That’s compared to the .220 that Rockies’ starting second baseman Clint Barmes is hitting right now (via MLB.com).

Meanwhile, Tyler Matzek, the team’s first overall pick in the most recent draft, made his professional debut yesterday for one of the Rockies’ minor-league affiliates and showed why the club invested millions in his left arm. According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, Matzek allowed just one hit over five innings, and touched 98 miles per hour with his fastball.