ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Left-hander Rich Hill, formerly of the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles, is among 17 players given non-roster invitations to St. Louis Cardinals spring training.
The 30-year-old Hill agreed to terms on a minor league contract after going 3-3 with Baltimore last season. He spent parts of four seasons with the Cubs from 2005-08, going 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA in 32 starts in 2007, and has a career mark of 21-20 with a 4.87 ERA.
All but three of the invitees were in the St. Louis organization last season. Eight pitchers, four catchers, four infielders and one infielder, 2007 first-round draft pick Peter Kozma, were invited on Tuesday. Lance Lynn, the franchise's minor league pitcher of the year, also is on the list along with catcher Robert Stock, a second-round pick in 2009.
Others from outside the organization are infielder Ruben Gotay and pitcher Charlie Zink, a knuckleballer. Those two also are the only others with prior major league experience.
Pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 17 with the first workout on Feb. 18. The full squad reports on Feb. 22 with the first workout on Feb. 23.
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