Ahead of Monday night’s series opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals added veteran corner infielder Dan Johnson on a Minor League deal, giving the organization further depth at the first base position.
Johnson, 35, appeared in just 15 big league games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, compiling a .211/.333/.342 slash-line in the process. He opened this season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, but after struggling – striking out nine times and walking 10 in 40 plate appearances, was released recently by the club.
The former seventh-round draft pick has hit 15 or more home runs twice during his nine years in the bigs, but the last time that happened was back in 2007.