Cards sign Percival to Minor League deal

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals signed right-handed reliever Troy Percival to a Minor League contract Friday and assigned the 37-year-old to Triple-A Memphis, where he will continue his attempt at a comeback.

The Cardinals announced Percival's signing prior to Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. If all goes well at Memphis, Percival would join an already-strong Cardinal bullpen (10-2 with a 3.41 ERA entering Friday night's game) and give manager Tony La Russa another veteran capable of contributing quality innings to the cause.

The Cardinals rotation has averaged less than six innings per start and has logged fewer innings than all but four of the 30 Major League teams.

Percival, who ranks 12th on the all-time Major League saves list with 324, hasn't pitched since July 9, 2005, when he tossed one-third of an inning for Detroit in a loss to Tampa Bay. A forearm injury sent him to the disabled list and, after attempting to return with the Tigers last season, Percival decided to retire and became a special assignment pitching instructor for the Angels.

The forearm injury that interrupted Percival's career track has apparently healed and several teams began scouting the four-time All-Star since his agent, Paul Cohen, confirmed Percival would attempt a comeback last month.

Drafted in 1990 by the California Angels as a catcher, Percival was converted to a pitcher and made his Major League Debut on April 26, 1995. He became the regular closer for the Angels the following year and has compiled a 29-38 record with a 2.99 ERA in 586 2/3 career innings.

Percival, who ranks fifth in saves among active Major Leaguers, collected a career-high 42 saves in 1998 and enjoyed his best season in 2002 with a 4-1 record, 40 saves, 68 strikeouts and a 1.92 ERA for the World Series-champion Angels.

Percival went nine consecutive seasons (1996-2004) with 20 or more saves, including eight years with 30 or more saves.