SEATTLE (AP) - The Mariners agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with left-hander Tyler Johnson and invited him to spring training to compete for a spot in their bullpen.
The 27-year-old Johnson pitched in 116 games for the St. Louis Cardinals from 2005-07, but missed all of last season because of a shoulder injury that required arthroscopic surgery in May.Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Johnson's career success against left-handed hitters made him attractive.
Zduriencik said Seattle special assistant Duane Shaffer saw Johnson throw recently and reports he appears to be healthy.
Johnson is 3-5 with a 4.32 ERA in his major league career. He has allowed 67 hits and struck out 65 in 77 innings.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
