Cards sign veteran infielder Alex Cora

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to terms with veteran infielder Alex Cora on a minor league contract for the upcoming 2012 season. The deal includes a non-roster invite to the Cardinals Major League Spring Training camp.

Cora, 36, is a veteran of 12-plus seasons in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland, Boston, the New York Mets, Texas and Washington.

The left-handed hitting Cora has compiled a career batting mark of .243 with 35 home runs, 286 RBI and 47 stolen bases in 1,273 games played. He appeared in 91 games for the Nationals last season, making appearances at all four infield positions, including 16 starts at third base. Cora has played the majority of his career at the middle infield positions, making 616 career appearances at shortstop and 530 at second base.

A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Cora played for Team Puerto Rico and its manager Jose Oquendo during the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Cora was a member of the World Champion Boston Red Sox in 2007.

The Cardinals will open their 2012 Spring Training camp on February 18 with reporting date for pitchers and catchers and their first workout is set for the following day. The team currently has 39 roster players and 20 non-roster invitees set to report.


(mlb.com)