Padres signed RHP Rob Johnson to a minor league contract.

Yes, you're reading it correctly. After parts of seven big league seasons behind the plate, Johnson is going to try his hand at pitching. For what it's worth, the 31-year-old has made a couple scoreless appearances in his career, once for the Mets in 2012 and again for the Cardinals last year. Still, it's obviously a long shot that he'll ever amount to anything on the mound.

Cardinals sent C Rob Johnson outright to Triple-A Memphis.

Johnson immediately declared for free agency and is now able to source out his catching depth to a new organization. Did you know that Johnson has appeared in the big leagues in every season since 2007? Such is the life of a gritty backup catcher. The 31-year-old Johnson is a career .200/.275/.295 hitter.

Cardinals purchased the contract of C Rob Johnson from Triple-A Memphis.

He'll replace Ty Wigginton on the active roster and will provide some catching depth with Yadier Molina (knee) ailing. Johnson, 30, owns a .201/.277/.297 in 791 plate appearances in the majors and can be ignored in fantasy leagues.

Cardinals signed C Rob Johnson to a minor league contract.

He'll also get a spring training invite. Johnson, 30, batted .250 (13-for-52) in 17 games with the Mets this season prior to suffering a torn ligament in his left thumb. The light-hitting backstop is unlikely to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Rob Johnson has opted for free agency.

Johnson was outrighted off the 40-man roster as the Mets begin to make room for prospects in advance of December's Rule 5 Draft. The 30-year-old catcher batted .250 (13-for-52) in 17 games with the big club this season.

Mets transferred C Rob Johnson from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Johnson has a torn ligament in his left thumb is done for the season.

Mets placed C Rob Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

The Mets had originally optioned Johnson to Triple-A Buffalo, but that transaction is now void. The 30-year-old backstop is done for the remainder of the 2012 season.

Mets optioned C Rob Johnson to Triple-A Buffalo.

He was sent down in order to make room for the newly-acquired Kelly Shoppach on the active roster. Johnson is hitting .250 (13-for-52) in 17 games with the Mets this season and should be back in September.

Rob Johnson is likely to be optioned to Triple-A Buffalo before Wednesday's game against the Reds.

The Mets acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Red Sox on Tuesday and will presumably use him in a platoon with Josh Thole down the stretch. Johnson has posted a rough .250/.298/.288 batting line with two extra-base hits in 17 major league games this season.

Mets recalled C Rob Johnson from Triple-A Buffalo.

Johnson has hit .313/.371/.344 in 35 plate appearances this season in the major leagues. He will serve as the Mets' backup catcher behind starter Josh Thole.

Mets optioned C Rob Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Mets don't need a third catch with Josh Thole back in action. Johnson batted .313/.371/.344 over 34 at-bats.

Mets signed C Rob Johnson to a minor league contract.

The deal includes a spring training invite. Johnson, 29, batted .190/.259/.285 with three homers and 16 RBI over 199 plate appearances with the Padres this past season. The light-hitting backstop will try to make the Opening Day roster as a backup to Josh Thole.

Rob Johnson has elected free agency.

Johnson has the right to declare free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old backstop batted .190/.259/.285 with three homers and 16 RBI over 199 plate appearances with the Padres this season. He will likely have to settle for a spring training invite somewhere.

Rob Johnson returned to action on Saturday July 30.

Rob Johnson left Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks in the seventh inning with a right hand contusion.

Johnson suffered the injury on a foul tip behind the plate. X-rays came back negative, but the 29-year-old backstop said that pain was worse after the game than it was initially. Luis Martinez, who was called up from the minors Tuesday, could see most of the playing time if Johnson needs an extended absence.

Rob Johnson hit a two-run homer in San Diego's loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

He also drew two walks, reaching base three times in a game for just the second time this season. Hitting .182 with three home runs and eight RBI, Johnson is barely even an option in two-catcher NL-only leagues.

Rob Johnson was named the Padres' backup catcher.

The 28-year-old will serve as a rarely used understudy to Nick Hundley. Johnson hit just .191/.293/.281 last year.

Padres acquired C Rob Johnson from the Mariners in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

He was designated for assignment by the M's last week. Johnson has an ugly .200/.282/.302 batting line over 470 career at-bats, but regarded as a solid defensive catcher. He'll likely back up Nick Hundley in San Diego.

Mariners designated C Rob Johnson for assignment.

Johnson was cleared off the 40-man roster to make room for the newly-signed Jack Cust. The 27-year-old backstop batted just .191/.293/.281 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 209 plate appearances this past season. He also led the league with nine passed balls. Johnson wasn't likely to get much playing time with Miguel Olivo as the starter and Adam Moore as his primary backup, though it's still possible he could return to the organization on a minor league deal.

Mariners optioned C Rob Johnson to Triple-A Tacoma.

Johnson was given ample time to figure things out offensively and never did. He will head to Triple-A Tacoma having posted a .191/.293/.281 batting line, two homers and 13 RBI over 178 at-bats in Seattle.