Former Angels Palmeiro, Ochoa Sign With Cardinals

Free-agent outfielders Orlando Palmeiro and Alex Ochoa, who both played for the Angels in last year’s World Series, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Palmeiro signed a one-year contract. Ochoa got a minor league deal.

Palmeiro, 34, hit .300 with 31 runs batted in last season. Ochoa, 30, batted .277 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 65 at-bats.

*

Jackie Robinson will be nominated for the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his achievements as the first African American player in the major leagues, the Boston Red Sox said.

Four U.S. senators will file the legislation on Monday.

Since 1776, there have been about 300 recipients of a Congressional Gold Medal, including George Washington, Joe Louis, Robert Frost and Mother Teresa.

The legislation was announced by Red Sox President Larry Lucchino on Friday during a symposium at Fenway Park on what would have been Robinson’s 84th birthday.

*

Cardinal outfielder J.D. Drew, already rehabbing a surgically repaired knee, has had a cyst removed from the ball of his left foot.

Drew, who last season struggled with tendinitis in his right knee, had off-season surgery to repair the tendon and is not expected to fully recover until this spring, perhaps May.