LHP Randy Choate, who had a 5.40 ERA for Toronto this spring, was released Tuesday. Choate, 40, went 1-0 with one save and a 3.95 ERA in 71 games for St. Louis last year.

Choate struck out the only batter he faced Friday night and was credited with the win as the Cards topped the Pirates in 10 innings.

The Cards are typically very strict about Choate's use as LOOGY, as he's only faced more than one batter once in 10 trips to the mound this season. Most his value will come in the form of holds, but high leverage spots with left-handed batters in the mix can typically be given to Kevin Siegrist.

Choate will once again serve as the Cardinals lefty specialist as he's expected to make the opening day roster, MLB.com reports.

Choate only allowed one run this spring despite posting a 1.69 WHIP. He'll continue in his lefty-specialist role for the Cardinals again this year but certainly is a viable candidate for a trade this summer as the Cardinals have plenty of young options that can do more than just serve as a specialist.

Randy Choate logged a scoreless inning of relief Saturday against the Dodgers, lowering his ERA to 1.08.

A 37-year-old lefty killer, Choate has logged only 8 1/3 innings this year due to discretionary use. He's dutifully performed his role, allowing only one earned run over 16 appearances. Choate has six holds on the year and will earn plenty more pitching for the mighty Cardinals.

Cardinals signed LHP Randy Choate to a three-year, $7.5 million contract.

The deal became official after Choate passed a physical Friday in St. Louis. A 37-year-old left-handed specialist, Choate has held left-handed batters to a .201/.278/.284 career slash line and also gets plenty of ground balls. While there's a chance he might not be effective by the end of the deal, the Cards didn't invest much.

The Cardinals' agreement with Randy Choate is worth $7.5 million over the next three seasons.

Those financial details come courtesy of CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. It's odd to see a 37-year-old reliever score a three-year deal, but the money isn't bad and it's reasonable to expect Choate to remain effective into his 40s if used correctly. The veteran southpaw boasts a .201/.278/.284 career slash line against left-handed batters.

ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that the Cardinals have agreed to a deal with left-hander Randy Choate.

The Cards had interest in Sean Burnett, but the asking price grew to large for their liking. So the club went down to the second tier of lefty specialists and plucked a pretty good one. Choate, 37, has held left-handed hitters to a .201/.278/.284 batting line over the course of his 12-year MLB career.

Randy Choate returned to action on Tuesday September 4.

Randy Choate is day-to-day with a bruised left hand.

Good news for the Dodgers. Choate was forced to leave Monday's game after being hit in the base of his left hand with a comebacker, but no X-rays were needed. He should be good to go in a day or two.

Randy Choate left Monday's game against the Padres in the top of the seventh inning after being hit in the left hand by a comebacker.

Choate made some practice throws, but was unable to continue. Scott Elbert is currently on the disabled list, so the Dodgers could be without a left-hander in their bullpen if Choate requires an extended absence.

Randy Choate (oblique) threw off a mound Monday with no discomfort.

Choate has yet to make an appearance this spring due to an oblique strain. He is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday and could appear in a minor league or Grapefruit League game as soon as Saturday. Barring any setbacks, the 36-year-old southpaw should have enough time to get ready for the start of the season.

Randy Choate (elbow) is aiming to face live hitters Wednesday for the first time this spring.

Choate has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut, but he will only need a handful of appearances to get sufficiently warmed up for the start of the regular season. The veteran right-handed reliever posted a 1.82 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings last year.

Marlins transferred LHP Randy Choate from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Choate suffered a left elbow injury in mid-August and hasnow been ruled out for the rest of the 2011 season. He posted a cool 1.82 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings.

Randy Choate (elbow) is unlikely to pitch again in 2011.

"I would love to pitch some more," Choate said. "But I don't want to do anything stupid. I'd rather be completely healed for next season." The owner of a 1.82 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 24 2/3 innings over 54 appearances this season, Choate was originally expected to only miss somewhere in the neighborhood of three weeks. He's held lefties to a minuscule .145 average this year.

Marlins placed LHP Randy Choate on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation.

Choate has recorded a superb 1.82 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 31/13 K/BB ratio in 24 2/3 innings this season for the Marlins. He should be ready in around three weeks.

Randy Choate is headed back to south Florida to undergo an MRI on his sore throwing arm.

Choate hasn't pitched since Monday due to discomfort in his left arm and could need to spend a few weeks on the disabled list. He has a 1.82 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 31/13 K/BB ratio in 24 2/3 innings so far this season.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that it's unlikely the Marlins trade Randy Choate.

Rosenthal reasons that Choate is making just $1 this season and $1.5 million next year, so there's no point in dealing him when he's so cheap. He has a point, but with the volatility of relievers, it's rarely a bad idea to capitalize when someone's value is at its' peak. Choate has allowed just five hits in 52 at-bats against left-handed hitters this season.

The Yankees could be interested in the Marlins' Randy Choate as a trade deadline target.

It's no secret that left-handed relief has been an Achilles heel for the Yankees this season, and Choate is having a terrific year for the Marlins, posting a 0.98 ERA and 0.82 WHIP while holding left-handed batters to a .100 (5-for-50) average. The Marlins are reportedly looking for infield prospects or an inexpensive major leaguer in exchange for the left reliever. Choate is a former Yankees draft pick and spent the first four seasons of his career in pinstripes.

Marlins signed LHP Randy Choate to a two-year, $2.5 million contract.

Choate, 35, will earn $1 million in 2011 and $1.5 million in 2012 with the opportunity to gain another $150,000 in performance-based incentives. He held left-handed batters to a sparkling .202/.263/.266 batting line this year and should make for a fine lefty specialist in 2011 for the Fish.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Marlins and reliever Randy Choate have agreed to a two-year, $2.5 million contract.

It's a bit surprising that he couldn't find a better deal. Choate, 35, held left-handed hitters to a .202/.263/.266 batting line in 2010 and struck out 40 batters in 44 2/3 overall innings. He should fit in well with the Marlins and will get a lot of use as a lefty relief specialist.