VIERA, Fla. — Ruben Tejada wasn’t out of work for long. As expected, the Mets’ former backup shortstop signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals, the team announced on Twitter.
“I am happy for him,” Terry Collins said.
The Mets released Tejada on Wednesday after he cleared waivers, making the 26-year-old Panamanian a free agent. The Cardinals had been interested in
Tejada as a replacement for Jhonny Peralta, who is expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks of the season after thumb surgery.
MLB FREE AGENTS: A COMPLETE POSITION-BY-POSITION GUIDE
The Mets wanted to part ways with Tejada, best remembered for having his leg broken by an ugly slide from Chase Utley during last season’s playoffs, because they felt his $3 million salary was too high for a light-hitting, backup middle infielder.