JUPITER, Fla. — Before lunchtime on the first full day since free agency flung open, the Cardinals had made a familiar move for some pitching depth.
The Cardinals signed righthander Drew VerHagen, a former Tigers' pitcher who has spent the previous two seasons pitching for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's highest league. VerHagen agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.5 million, a source confirmed.
The deal came at the same time the first Cardinals were visiting the complex after the end of a 99-day lockout.
Outfielders Harrison Bader and Tyler O'Neill were among the first major leaguers to report to the site and use the field to workout.