Redbirds sign Phelps to minor-league deal

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals said Thursday they've signed first baseman-catcher Josh Phelps to a minor-league contract in a move aimed at adding depth to the bench.

Phelps, 29, will have a chance to make the major league club at spring training, Cardinals spokesman Brian Bartow said. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

In seven seasons with Toronto, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh, Phelps has 64 home runs, 243 RBIs and a .273 batting average.

He hit .263 in 36 games with the Yankees last season before being waived and signed by Pittsburgh in June. He hit .351 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 58 games with the Pirates.

Phelps' best seasons were in Toronto, where he began his career in 2000. He batted .309 in part-time duty with the Blue Jays in 2002 and hit 20 home runs in 2003.

-- AP