Cardinals released INF Alex Cora.

Cora was a longshot to make the Opening Day roster and served primarily in a mentor role with the Cardinals' less experienced infielders. Entering his age-36 season, he offers very little in the way of upside.

Cardinals signed INF Alex Cora to a minor league contract.

Cora's contract comes with an invitation to spring training, where Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the 36-year-old will "serve as both competition and mentor for the club's group of less-experienced infielders." It doesn't sound like he has much of a shot at grabbing an Opening Day roster spot.

According to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, the Cardinals are nearing a minor league deal with Alex Cora.

Cora batted just .224/.287/.276 in 172 plate appearances with the Nationals last season. The 36-year-old is doubtful to land a 25-man roster spot in St. Louis.

Updating a previous item, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Alex Cora intends to play in MLB this season.

Reports from Puerto Rico indicated that Cora was ready to call it a career, but it turns out that he was merely announcing his retirement from winter ball play. The 36-year-old batted infielder just .224/.287/.276 over 172 plate appearances with the Nationals last season, so we wouldn't be surprised if a lack of interest ultimately pushes him into the coaching profession.

Alex Cora has announced his retirement from baseball.

Cora made it official last night after playing the final game of the season for Caguas Criollos in the Puerto Rican Winter League. The 36-year-old will walk away with a .243/.310/.338 career batting line to go along with 828 hits over his 14-year major league career. We'll likely see him in the dugout again real soon in a coaching capacity.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that there are "a couple teams that want Alex Cora as a coach and a couple that want him as a player."

Cora said at the end of the 2011 season that he planned on playing another year, and Heyman thinks he'll follow through on his word. It sounds like he'll have a chance to get into coaching once his playing career is finished. It's not clear which teams are interested in adding the veteran as a utility player.

Alex Cora told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post on Monday that he plans to return for his 15th major league season in 2012.

"I'll be playing, " said Cora. "I'm only 36. Whenever people talk about the future, you better hold it, because I'm going to be playing until I don't feel I can play well. I feel like I can contribute and help teams out. In my mind, there's no doubt about that." Cora, who signed a minor league deal with the Nationals last January, is batting just .219/.282/.258 with a .540 OPS over 171 plate appearances this season. He'll likely begin a career in coaching once his playing days are through.

Alex Cora returned to action on Friday June 3.

Alex Cora left Wednesday's game against the Phillies due to "stomach issues."

Cora was replaced by Jerry Hairston Jr. at third base to begin the fifth inning. The veteran infielder will likely be back to 100 percent in the next day or so, though he's hardly fantasy relevant.

Alex Cora left Wednesday's game against the Nationals after four innings for an undisclosed reason.

He went 0-for-1 with a walk before being replaced by Jerry Hairston Jr. at third base. We'll pass along an update on his status as soon as it is made available by the team.

Alex Cora picked up a pair of singles and stole a base in Thursday's loss to the Phillies.

Cora normally offers very little at the plate, but he does have seven hits in his last three starts to lift his average up to .250. He'll get plenty of playing time at third base while Ryan Zimmerman is out, and with the rash of injuries among NL third basemen recently, he's actually rosterable in single-league formats.

Alex Cora will start at shortstop for the Nationals again on Wednesday.

Ian Desmond was placed on the paternity leave list after his wife gave birth to the couple's first child Tuesday, so Cora will fill in for now. He'll bat eighth Wednesday against Mets' right-hander R.A. Dickey.

Alex Cora is expected to make the Nationals' Opening Day roster.

Cora batted just .210/.266/.278 in 176 plate appearances between the Mets and Rangers last season, but he's enjoying some success at the plate with the Nationals this spring. The club also values his veteran leadership, which is probably his best attribute at this point. If the Nationals keep Cora as a backup infielder, look for Alberto Gonzalez to be cut loose.

Nationals signed INF Alex Cora to a minor league contract.

That was quick. Cora can earn $900,000 while a member of the major league roster and another $600,000 via performance-based bonuses. The 35-year-old was not productive at the plate last season at multiple stomping grounds, including the minor leagues, but he has the ability to play multiple infield positions and should see a decent amount of playing time in D.C.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nationals are in "serious talks" with free agent infielder Alex Cora.

Cora was designated for assignment by the Rangers in early September of 2010 after batting just .182 in 22 at-bats with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He's not an offensive threat, but the 35-year-old does have experience at all four infield positions and could serve as a flexible utilityman this year in the nation's capital. A minor league contract should seal the deal.

Rangers designated INF Alex Cora for assignment.

The Rangers signed Cora to a minor league contract in mid-August and promoted him to the big leagues one week later. He made only seven at-bats, though, and Texas decided to go in another direction Monday.

Rangers purchased the contract of INF Alex Cora from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Cora was signed to a minor league contract by the Rangers last week. The 34-year-old infielder batted .182 (4-for-22) over six games with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He'll provide plenty of leadership and intangibles for a team in contention, but he isn't worthy of your attention in fantasy leagues.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Rangers are considering signing free agent infielder Alex Cora.

Cora was released by the Mets earlier this month after batting just .207/.265/.278 with nine extra-base hits over 169 at-bats this season. He doesn't do much with the bat anymore, but a contending team could sign him because of his veteran presence and supposed intangibles.

Mets released 2B Alex Cora.

Cora simply hasn't hit at all this season, batting only .207 with just nine extra-base hits all year. The Mets made the decision to go younger, as he will be replaced on the roster by Ruben Tejada. They will also save $2 million for next season, as Cora was 18 games away from hitting a vested option.

Alex Cora clubbed a three-run triple in a win over the Nationals on Friday night.

It was the crucial play of the game, as the deep drive chased right fielder Mike Morse to the wall, however he was unable to come up with the ball. Cora hadn't driven in three runs in a game since April 29, 2007 as a member of the Red Sox. Don't fool yourself into thinking he has any fantasy value, but Cora already has 17 RBI through 118 at-bats this season after having 18 in 271 at-bats last season. He'll likely be in the starting lineup for as long as Jose Reyes is sidelined.