ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have signed David Bell to a two-year contract as bench coach to replace Mike Aldrete, who left last week for the same role with Oakland. The 42-year-old Bell was assistant hitting coach last year. He played in the majors for 12 years with six teams including the Cardinals. Bell was a minor league manager in the Reds organization from 2009-12 and third base coach with the Cubs in 2013 before joining St. Louis last year.

Aldrete coached with St. Louis from 2008-14. Also Monday, the Cardinals added catcher Ed Easley to the 40-man roster, which has five open slots after right-handers Eric Fornataro and Jorge Rondon were claimed off waivers. Fornataro was taken by the Nationals and Rondon by the Rockies.