Cards reach deals with Eldred, Kline

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals brought back two of their relievers Sunday, agreeing to a $1.7 million, one-year contract with left-hander Steve Kline and a $900,000, one-year deal with right-hander Cal Eldred.

Kline, 31, led St. Louis with 78 appearances last season -- the fifth time in six years he was in 75 or more games.

Kline was 5-5 with a 3.82 ERA last season. He has a 25-28 career record with a 3.46 ERA and 33 saves in 522 games.

Eldred, 36, was 7-4 with a 3.74 ERA and eight saves for a career record of 81-72 with a 4.52 ERA. He appeared in a career-high 62 games, striking out 67 in 67 1/3 innings.