2B Adam Kennedy was added to the Rays spring roster on a minor-league contract.

Kennedy, 33, was released last week by the Cardinals, for whom he hit .280 in 115 games last season following a horrible .217 in 87 games the year before. A conflict with manager Tony La Russa appeared to be a big part of the problem, and the Cardinals are responsible all of his $4-million salary except for the $400,000 major-league minimum.

For the Rays, Kennedy is low-cost insurance in the event starter Akinori Iwamura, who is playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, or a backup is injured.

“We talk a lot about depth, and I think this move fits perfectly in line with that,’’ Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. “He’s a tremendous defender, he does a lot of things well and we’re anxious to watch him play on a daily basis. ...  Right now he’s on the outside looking in. I think it would take an injury at this point, but you never know, and we’re going into it with an open mind.''

Rays manager Joe Maddon is familiar with Kennedy, who played for the Angels from 2000-2006, and was MVP of the ALCS in 2002.