Cardinals sign Fuentes to Minor League deal

The St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent reliever Brian Fuentes to a Minor League deal on Saturday. His addition gives the team another left-handed option. Fuentes, 36, was released by the A's earlier this month. He allowed just six earned runs in his first 19 innings, but he yielded 13 runs over a six-inning stretch in his final seven appearances. Fuentes will report to the Cardinals' Gulf Coast League affiliate on Sunday to begin a seven-day Minor League program. Fuentes has not pitched since June 30. Fuentes has a July 31 out clause built into his contract that would allow him to ask for his release if he has not been called up to the Majors by the end of the month. The Cards have been seeking a left-handed reliever since J.C. Romero became ineffective.