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Cardinals sign Hall of Famer Bob Gibson's son

Team purchased the contract of outfielder from Frontier League

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals signed Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson's son and relief pitcher Randy Flores' younger brother on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Ron Flores, a left-hander like his brother, was signed to a minor league contract. The Cardinals purchased the contract of Chris Gibson, an outfielder, from the Gateway Grizzlies of the Independent Frontier League.

Ron Flores had a 3.57 ERA in 17 games for the Oakland Athletics last year, striking out 15 in 17 2-3 innings. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Sacramento, going 1-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 40 games.

The Cardinals also signed catcher Mark Johnson and re-signed right-hander Hugo Castellanos and third baseman Rico Washington to minor league deals. All four players will be invited to major league spring training camp.

Gibson batted .260 in 61 games last season for Gateway, located near St. Louis in Sauget, Ill.

They also hired Moises Rodriguez as director of international operations and Juan Mercado as Latin American scouting supervisor.

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Johnson batted .320 with four homers and 34 RBIs in 80 games for Triple-A Tucson last season and has played for the White Sox, Athletics and Brewers. He hasn't been in the major leagues since 2004.

Castellanos was 3-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 37 games for the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate in Memphis last season. Washington began the year with Double-A Springfield and hit .315 after a promotion to Memphis in mid-April, but his season was shortened by a left knee strain.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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