A Holliday reunion commenced Thursday afternoon for the Rockies.

Matt Holliday, the 38-year-old slugger who played a leading role in Colorado’s magical “Rocktober” run to the World Series in 2007, was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque and added to the Rockies’ roster.

Holliday was in the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the San Diego Padres, starting in left field and wearing No. 7.

Manager Bud Black said he will use Holliday in left field and as a right-handed hitter off the bench. Black added that he does not foresee using Holliday as a first baseman, though Holliday played first base in the past with the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I’m here to help the team in any way possible,” Holliday said Thursday morning from the Rockies clubhouse at Coors Field. “I’m just here to be part of the team and do everything I can to impact the team, as best I can.”

A couple of hours prior to Thursday’s game, Holliday practiced catching flyballs in left field on a breezy day in LoDo.

Holliday is in excellent shape and believes his tune-up in the minors has him ready to face big-league pitching.

“I feel really good,” he said. “The last two days have been real positive. I’ve been really happy with how my body responded to playing nine innings, and then being able to go out there.

“I’m really pleased with how I felt and recovered, how I played and how my swing feels. I’m very confident with where I’m at with baseball.”

Black was the manager of the Padres in 2007 when Holliday famously slid into home plate with the winning run in the 13th inning of Colorado’s 9-8 victory over the Padres in the playoff play-in game. Now he gets to manage Holliday.

“I think he’s going to bring a lot,” Black said. “The most important thing, and Matt will tell you this, he wants to bring his bat and his ability to be a player. As we go down the stretch that’s the first thing we’re all thinking about — his contribution.

Andy Cross, The Denver Post Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday in the dugout before playing the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on Aug. 23, 2018.

Andy Cross, The Denver Post Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday takes the field before the game against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field Aug. 23, 2018.

Andy Cross, The Denver Post Baseball fans cheers as Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday approaches home plate for his first at bat against the San Diego Padres in the second inning at Coors Field Aug. 23, 2018.



Andy Cross, The Denver Post Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday lines out to the infield during his first at bat against the San Diago Padres in the second inning at Coors Field Aug. 23, 2018.

Andy Cross, The Denver Post Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday lines out to the infield during his first at bat against the San Diago Padres in the second inning at Coors Field Aug. 23, 2018.

Andy Cross, The Denver Post Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday warms up before playing the San Diego Padres at Coors Field Aug. 23, 2018.



Andy Cross, The Denver Post Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday signs autographs for the fans before playing the San Diego Padres at Coors Field Aug. 23, 2018.

“Secondly, Matt has been through pennant races, Matt has been on winning teams, Matt has great leadership ability, has a great way with teammates. That’s going to help us. He’s going to be a great addition around the guys as we go through this.”

To make room for Holliday on the 25-man roster, rookie infielder Garrett Hampson was optioned to Triple-A.

Holliday was traded to the Oakland Athletics in November 2008 after he and the Rockies could not come to an agreement on a contract extension. He was traded to St. Louis at the trade deadline in 2009 and then signed a free-agent deal with the Cardinals in the offseason. He was a member of the Cardinals team that won the World Series in 2011.

Last season, Holliday played with the New York Yankees, hitting .231 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs.

Holliday, originally a seventh-round pick of the Rockies in the 1998 draft, was signed to a minor-league deal by Colorado on July 29. After getting a short test with Colorado’s rookie-league team at Grand Junction, Holliday began playing at Triple-A. He proved he was ready for another stint in the big leagues.

Holliday hit .346 with three home runs, 15 RBI and a OPS of 1.048 in 15 games with the Isotopes. He has also drawn 11 walks (one intentionally) while striking out nine times.

Holliday admitted he had trouble sleeping Wednesday night as he anticipated his reunion with the Rockies. Walking into the Coors Field clubhouse Thursday morning sparked plenty of emotions.

“It was pretty surreal,” he said. “Honestly, it felt sort of normal, but at the same time pretty nostalgic. Just thinking back 15 years ago, when I did that for the first time.

“So it was kind of like that kid at Christmas. I had a hard time sleeping. I’m really excited to walk into Coors Field again as a member of the Rockies.”

Holliday played five seasons with Colorado from 2004-08, earning three all-star selections. In 2007, he was runner-up for National League MVP when he batted a league-high .340 with 36 homers and 137 RBIs — both career highs.

In parts of 14 seasons, the seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger has batted .299 with 1154 runs, 466 doubles, 32 triples, 314 home runs and 1,217 RBIs in 1,878 games.