Cards reach deal with Wellemeyer

ST. LOUIS -- Pitcher Todd Wellemeyer and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration, agreeing to a $1 million, one-year contract.

The deal includes performance bonuses that could be worth another $100,000.

Wellemeyer was the last Cardinals player remaining in arbitration. He made $635,000 last season and was seeking $1,325,000. The Cardinals had offered $875,000.

The 29-year-old right-hander was 3-2 with a 3.11 ERA last season after St. Louis claimed him off waivers from Kansas City in May. He started 11 games in 2007 and is expected to compete for the fifth spot in the Cardinals' rotation.

-- AP