The Cardinals traded catcher Tom Nieto to...

The Cardinals traded catcher Tom Nieto to the Montreal Expos Monday for minor league infielder Fred Manrique.

Nieto, 25, had shared catching duties last year with Darrell Porter. But the right-handed hitting Nieto would have been the backup to Mike Heath had he stayed with the Cardinals this season.

At Montreal, Nieto will get a chance to compete for the starting job with Mike Fitzgerald. Nieto hit .225 for the Cardinals in his first full season last year. He had no home runs and 34 RBIs in 95 games.

Manrique, 24, is primarily a shortstop who has played all four infield positions, will be assigned to the Cardinals’ minor league affiliate in Louisville.