Perry to Cardinals; Mets Get Puhl

The St. Louis Cardinals got first-base and pinch-hitting help and the New York Mets signed an outfielder and pinch-hitter from the free-agent market Thursday.

Gerald Perry, 30, a lifetime .267 hitter who spent 1990 with the Kansas City Royals and seven seasons with the Braves, agreed to a three-year, $3.3-million contract with the Cardinals, for whom he will back up Pedro Guerrero and offer left-handed pinch-hitting.

Terry Puhl, 34, a Houston Astro outfielder for 14 years, agreed to a one-year deal with the Mets, for whom he will supply the left-handed pinch-hitting missing when Tom O’Malley agreed to play in Japan.

Puhl is guaranteed $100,000 under the contract, but he would get a $350,000 salary if he makes the opening-day roster. He could make bonuses of $75,000 each for 200 and 250 plate appearances.