SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Starting pitcher Aaron Cook agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rockies on Thursday afternoon, rejoining the team that drafted him in 1997.

Cook was released by the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday and was looking for a chance to continue pitching, with an eye on returning to the major leagues.

“The Phillies were going to send me to Triple-A, but I was talking with my kids and they said, ‘Why not pitch for the Rockies?’ ” said Cook, who still lives in the Denver area. “That made a lot of sense to me, and we were able to work something out with the Rockies. I’ve always loved the organization and it’s good to be back.”

Cook, 34, will begin the season with Triple-A Colorado Springs, but said he wants a chance to pitch at the major-league level.

“I know I can still compete in the big leagues, I have no doubts,” he said. “I threw really well in spring training and my arm feels really good.”

Cook has relied primarily on his sinkerball during his big-league career, but he’s expanded his repertoire to include a slider and a cut fastball.

“Now I have three pitches instead of one,” he said.

Cook agreed in January to a minor-league contract with the Phillies. He was was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in three starts and three relief appearances during spring training. He would have been owed a $100,000 retention bonus if he were not released Tuesday or assured in writing of a spot on the opening-day roster or major-league disabled list.

Cook had his best season in 2008 when he went 16-9 with a .396 ERA. He made the National League all-star team and pitched in the game at the old Yankee Stadium.

Cook is 76-79 with a 4.60 ERA in 11 big-league seasons with Colorado and Boston. He was 4-11 with a 5.65 ERA in 18 starts for the Red Sox in 2012.

Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428, psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp