The Rockies continued their pre-spring training fine-tuning Wednesday by signing veteran third baseman Joe Crede to a minor-league contract.

Crede, who will be in the major-league camp when the Rockies christen their new spring training home in Scottsdale, Ariz., didn’t play in 2010 after undergoing his third surgery on his lower back.

Crede, 32, has played most of his career with the White Sox. He hit .283 with 30 home runs and 94 RBIs in 2006 and was named to the American League all-star team in 2008 before playing with Minnesota in 2009.

The Rockies have Ian Stewart at third base. Also, Ty Wigginton, signed as a free agent after hitting 22 home runs for Baltimore in 2010, figures to see considerable playing time there. Crede figures to land at Triple-A Colorado Springs as he tries to resurrect a career in which he has hit 140 home runs.

— Jim Armstrong, The Denver Post