The Cardinals have released pitcher Kyle McClellan and signed catcher Rob Johnson to a minor league contract, the club announced Tuesday.

McClellan, 28, appeared in just 16 games for St. Louis in 2012 becasue of labrum surgery in July. However, McClellan had struggled dating to the 2011 season. During the past two years, McClellan owns a poor 4.32 ERA (87 ERA+), 1.316 WHIP, 1.67 K/BB, and a whopping 23 home runs allowed in 160.1 innings.

Johnson, 29, appeared in 17 games for the Mets in 2012 with a .250/.298/.288 (64 OPS+) batting line. Johnson spent most of his career with Seattle. In six seasons he owns a .201/.277/.297 line (59 OPS+).

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