Edwin Bellorin practically grew up in the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system, so it was not an easy decision to make when he decided to take his chances as a minor league free agent during the winter.

Bellorin signed with the Rockies on Dec. 1 because he was excited about the opportunity offered by the franchise. On Monday, that opportunity finally arrived.

The Rockies purchased the contract of the 25-year-old catcher from Triple-A Colorado Springs before the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, optioning catcher Chris Iannetta to the Sky Sox.

Bellorin, originally signed by the Dodgers when he was 16 in 1998, was in uniform Monday night relishing his first major league experience, an opportunity he felt would never come to fruition with Los Angeles.

"I played all year in Triple-A (in 2006) and I thought I played pretty good," Bellorin said. "When I got to being a free agent, my agent told me, 'The Rockies want you.' I wanted a team where I would have a chance. I wanted to go up this year. That was my goal.

"You play eight years for one team and you get to know a lot of guys. That was tough, but I wanted to have a chance."

Bellorin brings an impressive defensive pedigree to the Rockies' backup catcher role behind fellow Venezuelan Yorvit Torrealba. Any offense Bellorin adds will be considered a bonus after Iannetta's struggles.

The batting average of Iannetta, the youngest Opening Day catcher in Rockies history, hovered around .200 for much of the season before plummeting further recently.

Iannetta had only one hit in his past 32 at-bats after ending an 0-for-29 slump a week ago, and the Rockies hope getting regular at-bats with the Sky Sox will help him regain his confidence.

Manager Clint Hurdle said he decided a move had to be made after he lifted Iannetta for a pinch hitter during the eighth inning of Sunday's loss in Atlanta.

"It's more important for him to go down and get at-bats, to get in a comfort zone just to play games, play innings, make plays (and) get a bulk of at-bats together to reestablish his confidence," Hurdle said. "He likes the things we've done, but to put them in play twice a week is a lot to ask."

Bellorin hit .326 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in 59 games with the Sky Sox.