Cardinals sign Rob Johnson; release Kyle McClellan

The St. Louis Cardinals have released right-hander Kyle McClellan and signed catcher Rob Johnson to a minor league contract, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

The Cardinals released relief pitcher Kyle McClellan today.

McClellan won 12 games for the Cardinals in 2011, but he flamed out due to fatigue down the stretch and missed most of last season with elbow and shoulder issues. While most of his appearances have been out of the bullpen, the 28-year-old did start 17 games for St. Louis in 2011.

That season McClellan posted an ERA of 4.19 over 141 2/3 innings pitched. He maintained an ERA of 5.30 over 16 appearances last season when he was able to take the mound. Over five years at the major league level with the Cardinals the right-hander owns a career ERA of 3.69.

Johnson spent the 2012 season with the New York Mets. He hit .250/.298/.288 over 52 at-bats at the major league level, and .207/.253/.335 over 164 at-bats at Triple-A.