Alex Cora has returned from three games at Triple-A Buffalo. He can't be activated from the DL until Tuesday, so it's likely the Mets will wait to put Angel Pagan on the DL until then.

UPDATE: Cora said he's felt no ill effects from the torn ligament in his right thumb while playing two games at shortstop and one at DH. He noted he can't make it any worse since it's completely torn.

He reiterated he'll need surgery after the season. Cora is wearing a splint both at the plate and in the field, but added that he doesn't think he particularly needs it. He insisted he's not trying to rush back because of the spate of injuries.

“To win a World Series championship, and I’ve been there before, you need more than 25 guys,” Cora said. “Whoever is making excuses because guys are hurt or whatever, they don’t belong in this clubhouse. You need everybody. Whoever comes up we’re expecting them to contribute.”

(nydailynews.com)

Alex Cora expects to begin a three-game rehab assignment tomorrow with Triple-A Buffalo. The tune-up, which will include a game apiece at second base, DH and shortstop, will more clearly determine whether he's capable of being activated from the disabled list when he's eligible on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. Cora hopes to avoid surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb until after the season.

Ryan Church (hamstring) and Jose Reyes (calf), who both landed on the disabled list on Tuesday, expect to head to the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie today and Sunday, respectively.

(nydailynews.com)

Alex Cora (thumb) is expecting to delay surgery on the torn ligament his thumb until after the season and plans to return from the DL when eligible on June 2.

Cora says he can only be a part-time player due to the injury, which is perfect because that's exactly what he is. The reserve infielder isn't worth using in NL-only leagues.

(rotoworld.com)

Alex Cora plans to return from the disabled list on June 2 when he's eligible after serving 15 days, and expects to wait until after the season to undergo surgery, he tells the Daily News.

Cora devised a splint for his right thumb and tested it throwing Tuesday from 70 feet and it was passable. He doesn't think he could be an everyday player with the injury, but he can play with the torn right thumb ligament on a part-time basis, he suggested.

He batted without wearing the splint.

(nydailynews.com)

Bart Hubbuch, of the New York Post, reports New York Mets SS Alex Cora (thumb) has been advised to wear a splint on his hand for the next 10 days.



(fantasysp.com)

LOS ANGELES -- On a day the Mets learned they would be without Carlos Delgado for an extended period of time, they suffered yet another loss.

The club placed infielder Alex Cora on the 15-day disabled list with a torn ligament in his right thumb, recalling Ramon Martinez to take his roster spot and start at shortstop for Monday's series opener against the Dodgers. Regular shortstop Jose Reyes remains unavailable with tendinitis in his right calf.

Cora, who thought he had merely sprained his thumb sliding into second base in the first inning of Sunday's game, attempted to take batting and fielding practice Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. But he was unable to throw, and tests revealed that he had suffered a torn ligament in the thumb.

Martinez, 36, played in seven games last season for the Mets, producing four hits in 16 at-bats.

(mlb.com)

The right side of the Mets' infield is likely to be manned by understudies. Fernando Tatis is likely to be the first baseman, as he was Monday night. It was his 12th career assignment at first. And, Manuel said, Alex Cora is likely to play second base, as he did Monday after Luis Castillo was removed from the game because of muscle spasms in the right side of his back.

(newyorkmets.mlb.com)

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Former Hurricanes Ryan Braun (USA), Alex Cora (Puerto Rico) and Carlos Gutierrez (Puerto Rico) have been selected to play in next month's World Baseball Classic. Cora, a shortstop at Miami from 1994-96, is one of six infielders on Puerto Rico's roster, while Gutierrez, UM's closer last season, is one of 14 pitchers on the squad. Braun, an All-Star last year with the Milwaukee Brewers, is one of four outfielders on Team USA.

Final rosters of the 16 participating countries were announced late Tuesday, a little more than a week before the second annual tournament begins on March 5.

Cora, a recent signee with the New York Mets, is an 11-year Major League Baseball veteran with 688 career hits in his big league career. Gutierrez, a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2008, went 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA with the Class A Advanced Fort Myers Miracle last season. Braun, the National League's 2007 Rookie of the Year, hit .285 with 37 homers and 106 RBI this past season.

Team Puerto Rico, along with fellow Pool D members Dominican Republic, Netherlands and Panama, will play its first round games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If Team Puerto Rico is able to reach the second round of the Classic, Cora and Gutierrez will play in South Florida at Dolphin Stadium from March 14-19.

Other first-round games of the WBC are slated for Tokyo Dome (March 5-8), Toronto's Rogers Centre (March 8-12) and Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City (March 8-12).

In addition to Dolphin Stadium, San Diego's PETCO Park will serve as the other second round venue.

Dodger Stadium will host the semifinals and finals from March 21-23. PETCO was home to the semis and finals in 2006, when Japan defeated Cuba to take home the first Classic championship.

All 39 games are slated to be televised this year by ESPN and MLB Network -- 16 on the Network, which also adds a nightly half-hour wrap-up show of the day's events.

(hurricanesports.com)

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Cora and the New York Mets finalized a $2 million, one-year contract Thursday, giving the team a backup infielder who also could displace Luis Castillo at second base.

"You win championships with a 25-man roster," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "Alex Cora has been an integral part of teams that have been to the postseason in four of the last five years."

Cora hit .270 last season in 75 games and 152 at-bats for the Boston Red Sox. He had 38 starts at shortstop and three at second.

"I'm excited to join the Mets," Cora said in a statement released by the team. "We have a talented roster. I'm committed to do everything I can in any role to win."

Cora could earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses: $250,000 for each of 110, 120, 130 and 140 games started.

With the start of spring training less than a month away, David Wright was at Citi Field on Thursday, working out in the batting cages across the hall from the clubhouse at the new ballpark.

(ap.com)

Free agent Alex Cora has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Mets.

Cora kept waiting around to see if the Red Sox would trade Julio Lugo and open up a spot for him, but it looks like Boston will go with Lugo as its utilityman. Cora is a decent enough choice for the Mets as a replacement for Damion Easley.

(rotoworld.com)

According to WEEI's Rob Bradford, the Mets are targeting free agent Alex Cora to be their utility man for '09. Cora played shortstop and a little bit of second base for the Red Sox this year.



(mlbtraderumors.com)

Terry Francona believes Alex Cora will make a quality manager one day -- if Cora chooses to go that route -- but the veteran utility infielder still has some innings to play before he calls it a career.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Cora could be a low-cost solution at shortstop for the Tigers. Cora has not played more than 100 games since 2004 with the Dodgers, so it's possible Detroit signs him, retains part-time infielder Ramon Santiago and takes the shortstop-by-committee approach.

A more likely scenario is the Red Sox bring back Cora. The 33-year-old has played in Boston since 2005 (when the Red Sox acquired in July him from the Indians for Ramon Vazquez), knows the game and won't break the bank. He just wrapped up a two-year, $4 million deal.

(nesn.com)

Alex Cora filed for free agency today. The Red Sox now have 15 days to exclusively negotiate with Cora. If they don’t come to an agreement in the 15 days, the Red Sox lose the exclusive right and he is free negotiate with the other teams.

Cora has stated a desire to return to the Red Sox in 2009 while it’s unlikely the Red Sox will re-sign Kotsay, Byrd, Schilling and Timlin.

(soxanddawgs.com)

Mark Gonzales, of The Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago White Sox could pursue Boston Red Sox 2B Alex Cora if 2B Juan Uribe does not return for the 2009 season.



(kffl.com)

BOSTON — If they had their choice, Sean Casey and Alex Cora both would like to play for the Red Sox again next season.

Those two, both free agents, were among the few players in the team clubhouse yesterday afternoon after the 5 a.m. arrival from Tampa.

“I love it here,” Cora said. “It’s something we’ve got to look at. … We’ll go through the right channels and see what happens.”

Cora, a favorite of manager Terry Francona and a potential manager-in-waiting, might not have control. If Julio Lugo returns, Cora could be out, since Jed Lowrie has established himself. If the Sox decide to deal Lugo, it likely would help Cora’s chances.

(projo.com)

BOSTON -- For Monday's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, Red Sox manager Terry Francona went with his third different lineup.

The new wrinkle this time was veteran Alex Cora getting the call at shortstop in place of rookie Jed Lowrie.

Francona felt that the left-handed-hitting Cora was a better option than the switch-hitting Lowrie, who went 0-for-6 in the first two games.

Lowrie has been a far more effective hitter against lefties, so Francona thought the matchup with Tampa Bay righty Matt Garza favored Cora.

In Game 2 of the AL Division Series, Francona made the same maneuver against Angels righty Ervin Santana.

"The power righty seems like it's been more of a fit for Alex," Francona said. "I anticipate Jed being right back in there [Tuesday]. Again, sometimes you have different ways of being a good team. Sometimes you throw out the same nine, sometimes you don't."

Lowrie has been Boston's primary shortstop since Julio Lugo tore his left quad just before the All-Star break. Francona wasn't worried at all about Lowrie's confidence.

"I think Jed is smart enough to always [look at the big picture]," Francona said. "I think we're just trying to do what's best for the ballclub. But we will always make sure Jed knows that, so when he goes out to take his grounders today, he [knows] he's not being punished. We're just putting the best team out there that we can."

In 152 at-bats this season, Cora hit .275 with nine RBIs.

(mlb.com)

I didn't even know until recently that I was nearing my 1,000th career game. I've always been the type of player who takes things day-by-day, but I guess those days add up after a while.

When I first broke into the big leagues, I was very proud of that accomplishment because it's so hard to get to this level. As time went along, I just followed that day-by-day mantra. Baseball at this level is such a competitive grind that you can't afford to look too far ahead.

Initially, my focus was just to survive in the big leagues for another day, another week, another season. Now I'm closing in on 10 years.
When you start reaching milestones, you come to really appreciate all of the hard times and all of the struggles. You still have to get after it each and every day, but I also know it's important to enjoy the moment.

Reaching a longevity milestone shows a little about who you are, I think. It's a testament to your skills and to what you've accomplished, of course. But it also says something about how you go about your business.

When I look back after I retire -- hopefully that will be about 20 years from now as I track down records set by Julio Franco and Jesse Orosco -- I'll look back and reflect on all of the good times and all of the bad times.

Eventually, whatever the final number of games played is, I will consider myself most fortunate because I have a World Series ring. Not every player can say that, and that championship is the thing I'm most proud of.

I'm also proud of the versatility that I bring to a club. That's been an important factor in my career. I broke in with the Dodgers as an everyday player, more or less. They decided to let me go in 2004, and since then, I've been in more of a utility role. My ability to play different positions has helped.

My brother, Joey, played in more than 1,000 games (1,119), but reaching and surpassing his total wouldn't really mean anything. It's not like I'm competitive with him. I don't see Joey as a baseball player. Instead, I see him as my brother. I'm here because of him.

If I do get close to his number, he'll be very, very proud. It won't be a case of him saying, "Alex beat me." It would be something we would both take pride in.

Alex Cora is closing in on his 1,000th regular season games at the Major League level. He's been to the postseason three times, including the Red Sox's World Series-winning club last season. His older brother Joey is currently a coach with the White Sox.

(mlbplayers.com)

It wasn’t the lineup card Alex Cora [stats] was hoping to see. But one thing the Red Sox [team stats] utility infielder has become good at during his four seasons with the team is bracing for any circumstance.

Cora left Fenway Park [map] on Friday night knowing that just because of Julio Lugo [stats]’s injured left quadriceps, sliding into the starting spot at shortstop was anything but a certainty. It was a reality he was forced to face sooner than anticipated, with rookie Jed Lowrie getting the starting nod for the first game of what figures to be 4-6 weeks of the Sox being without Lugo.

“There is always that itch,” Cora said of his desire to play on an everyday basis. “I love what we do here and the way Tito (Francona) treats me. But sometimes we don’t hear what we have to hear, and you have to respect that.”

Francona explained right now there won’t be any firm plan of attack when it comes to utilizing the switch-hitting Lowrie and Cora.

The 32-year-old Cora figures to be in the starting lineup today, considering he owns a .407 career batting average against Baltimore starter Daniel Cabrera. But without the starting nod last night, Cora’s only chance at back-to-back starts came in the Sox series in Minnesota and Baltimore when he was inserted in the starting lineup four straight games, from May 11-14.

“Every time you send A.C. out there, you know what you’re getting,” Francona said. “You hit the ball to him, he catches it, he knows where to go and it’s reassuring. Part of our responsibility is to play him enough where he can be sharp, and we struggle through that sometimes, but this won’t be a time when it’s hard for him because he’ll play enough.”

Cora’s primary responsibility since returning from an early-season elbow injury has been to serve as a defensive replacement for Lugo. Including a late-innings appearance last night, he has now played in 35 games, 15 as the starter.

As he heads into what could be his best opportunity at carving out more playing time, Cora admitted that between his injury, and sporadic appearances in what is the final year of a two-year deal, this has been nothing like he has experienced in the past.

“It’s been more of a challenge,” Cora said. “First of all it was physically, going on the DL for the first time. Second of all, the two guys in front of me (Lugo and second baseman Dustin Pedroia [stats]) have been doing a great job, and it’s been kind of hard getting at-bats. The role is hard anyway, but it’s been tougher this year.”

With Lowrie having similar success from both sides of the plate during his time with Triple-A Pawtucket, hitting .277 from the left and .250 from the right, the immediate future might not lend itself to a straight platoon between the rookie and the left-handed-hitting Cora.

But with the memory of his two straight seasons as a starter with the Dodgers (2003-04) still fresh, Cora is angling to start walking down that same sort of path once again.

“This is what you prepare yourself for,” he said. “You’re not hoping for injuries, but if it happens you can’t let something like this deviate the team from what you want to accomplish. That is why you come and work early, for situations like this. We’ll see how it plays out.”

(bostonherald.com)

On a night where fielding took center stage, it only made sense that one of the most noteworthy developments revolved around the Red Sox [team stats]’ defensive plan of attack.

In the ninth inning of the first game in what turned into the Sox’ doubleheader sweep of the Brewers, Alex Cora [stats] came on as a defensive replacement for Julio Lugo [stats]. It is a strategy that evidently won’t be a one-time thing.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona spoke with both Cora and Lugo about the possibility of using Cora as a late-inning defensive replacement at shortstop.

“I’m ready for it,” said Cora, who started and played the entire second game. “You want to be the one making plays when it counts. Obviously, coming into a game, a close game, you want to be making a play. It’s something you have to ready for and the ball will find you.”

The strategy paid off immediately when Cora made a sensational grab on a popup in shallow left field in the ninth inning by Prince Fielder. The shortstop caught the ball basket-style with his back to the plate.

This will be the second time in Cora’s career he filled the role as late-inning defensive replacement. In 2002 with the Dodgers, he shared playing time at shortstop with Cesar Izturis, with either coming in for second baseman Mark Grudzielanek for defense.

Lugo leads all major league shortstops with 11 errors, three more than Florida’s Hanley Ramirez. His fielding percentage stands at .917, lowest among starters at his position.

The Sox’ starting shortstop did collect a hit while scoring a run in the first game, with his batting average standing at .283.

Cora did make an error in the second game, his first of the season, failing to come up with an in-between hop on a Billy Hall grounder in the seventh inning of the Sox’ 7-6 victory.

It would be one of three errors for the Sox in a game that set a new high for most errors by two teams in a single game (seven) this season.

According to a few players, not helping matters was the wear and tear the Fenway Park [map] field endured from a full day of doubleheader baseball.

“It was pretty rough,” said second baseman Dustin Pedroia [stats] of the field. “That ball to AC was a do-or-die play. That was a tough play. It was bad. That was the worse it has been all year.”

(news.bostonherald.com)

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Red Sox activated infielder Alex Cora off the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's 9-8 loss to the Twins.

Cora, who had been out since April 9 with a sore right elbow, had three hits and started at shortstop Sunday night, making him 6-for-7 in four games this season.

In a corresponding move, the Red Sox optioned infielder Jed Lowrie to Triple-A Pawtucket.

(sportsnetwork.com)

DETROIT -- So far, so good for the rehabbing Red Sox duo at Triple-A Pawtucket.

First baseman Sean Casey and utility infielder Alex Cora have begun their Minor League rehabilitation assignments as they return from injury, and the initial reports show no problems and solid production.

"They both look like they're doing real good," manager Terry Francona said before Thursday night's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

If their rehabs continue to go well, both players could rejoin the Red Sox roster for this weekend's series at Minnesota.

That's assuming the weather holds up for Pawtucket's game against Norwich on Friday night, as the forecast calls for heavy rain throughout the day. A rainout could delay Casey and Cora's return, but only by a day or two.

The team has not decided how it will make room for both players on the roster. It's assumed that infielder Jed Lowrie is one player on the way down to Pawtucket, and the other spot will be decided when the time comes.

Cora, who started his rehab on Wednesday night, is recovering from a sprained right elbow. In his first game with Pawtucket, he went 2-for-4 with a couple of singles to left and scored a run while playing seven innings at second base. Then, in Thursday's game, he went 1-for-4, starting at second again, though he was originally slated to DH.

"We were going to DH him, but he didn't get very many fielding chances [on Wednesday night], so he played second again," Francona said. "He'll play short [on Friday]."

Cora has appeared in three games with Boston this season, going 3-for-3 with a walk. Casey has played in 17 games and owns a .346 average with eight RBIs.

(mlb.com)

Alex Cora was turning double plays in practice at second base yesterday. He'll go to shortstop today. The Sox think Cora is just about ready to come off the disabled list, but they're considering whether a rehab assignment is necessary.



(boston.com)

Alex Cora has begun a throwing program but is still at least a week away from returning.





(fenwaywest.blogspot.com)

Alex Cora, meanwhile, still is about a week away from even being cleared to start throwing again. Cora has a right elbow strain. He took batting practice on the field this afternoon. Francona said the team will re-evaluate the utility infielder next Monday or Tuesday, after their road series this weekend against Tampa Bay.

(beloblog.com)

BOSTON -- Considering his value over the past two seasons as the club's most versatile infielder, the Red Sox are not taking any chances with Alex Cora's right elbow.

Boston is shutting down the infielder and keeping him from throwing a baseball following an MRI on Thursday.

"We've already spoken with [doctors] and trainers," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "In layman's language, we're going to slow him down until he's completely pain-free, whether that's three days, seven days, 10 days, that's up to how he feels. Then we'll get him back to baseball."

"I think we've got to shut it down for a little bit and map a plan," Cora said. "That's why we have to meet with everybody. Map out a plan and go from there."

As for the MRI, it was Cora's second one in as many weeks since he went on the disabled list on April 10 with a sprained right elbow.

"There was nothing seen in the MRI that is alarming," Francona said. "It confirmed what our trainers thought and our doctors thought. But we do want him to stop the throwing until he's pain-free. They do certain movements -- certain actions where they can replicate that pain -- and they want that to go away before he does baseball activities."

"The first one didn't work out too good, so I had to do it again [on Thursday]," Cora explained.

Cora has managed to keep his sense of humor while rehabbing the elbow, which he injured while making a throw across to first base while taking ground balls prior to the April 10 game against the Tigers.

"It feels the same," Cora said. "The only movement with the arm was with the [TV] remote, watching these clowns play, watching Sean Casey, a professional athlete with no balance."

But that doesn't mean Cora isn't frustrated watching from the bench, unable to contribute.

"I don't know how big a deal," Cora said of the severity of his injury. "I thought it was something that was a few days and now it looks like weeks now. It's been a week already, and it's going to take another week."

(mlb.com)

Boston, MA (Sportsbooks) - The Red Sox placed infielder Alex Cora on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a right elbow sprain.
The move is retroactive to April 10.

Cora is a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk for the Sox this season, with his lone start coming at shortstop April 2 in Oakland. His last appearance came as a pinch-hitter on April 9 against Detroit.

To fill the roster spot, the club has purchased the contract of infielder Joe Thurston from Triple-A Pawtucket. Thurston is expected to be with the team for tonight's game against the Yankees in the Bronx.

(mlb.com)

The Red Sox are considering placing Alex Cora on the disabled list because of his sore elbow.
Cora was supposed to be ready to play by now, but manager Terry Francona said today that he still could be a week away. If Cora lands on the DL, the Red Sox could recall Brandon Moss. If they wanted another outfielder instead, they'd pick either Joe Thurston or Keith Ginter.

(rotoworld.com)

Alex Cora hurt his arm while throwing before Thursday's game and was sent for an examination. The Red Sox can't afford to be two infielders down with Mike Lowell already hurt, so even if it's a day-to-day problem for Cora, he could go on the DL. Jed Lowrie would be the obvious choice as a replacement.

(rotoworld.com)

FORT MYERS - Ask Alex Cora [stats] what he remembers most about playing baseball in Japan, and he won’t take you down the usual road of culture shock, language barriers and the many hours it took to make the trip.

Not right away. First, the Red Sox [team stats] utility infielder will talk to you about batting practice.

Cora was on a team of major league All-Stars - “See, I really was an All-Star,” he likes to say - for an eight-game series against Japanese All-Stars in November 2004. When he arrived at the ballpark for the first game, he was shocked to see that the Japanese take batting practice with two players hitting at the same time. Click here to continue reading...

Different players have different values to a team. The value of Alex Cora has been an immense. You'll never see his name among the league leaders in the stat categories. But, Red Sox fans know you need a guy like him to get through a 162 game season. 

Cora begins his 4th season with the Red Sox. He's one of those guys who might go unnoticed in most cities, but not in Boston. Not is a city as baseball crazy as Boston.Cora thrives in that intensity.

" I love it. I think if you're going to do what I do it is the perfect place to do it. I would love to play every day in Boston because I know they can appreciate more of my game but the days I play out there they give you a standing ovation for a ground ball to second with a man on second. So, they understand the game and expect that out of you and it's a great place for me. " Click here to continue reading...

Tom D'Angelo spoke to Red Sox infielder Alex Cora, who has the longest at-bat on record in the majors and played in the two longest nine-inning games.

The 18-pitch at bat against Matt Clement in 2004 when you were with the Dodgers, did you ever think, when is this going to end?

I was so locked into that at-bat I wasn't really thinking about anything else. Nothing really mattered.

You fouled off 14 straight; what kind of pitches were you seeing?

Everybody gives me the credit but for Matty to throw so many strikes in a row he had to be doing something right, too. It was just a battle between two guys trying to get a result.

And that result was you hitting a home run. How satisfying was that?

It was a special for a lot of people but I was just happy to do something for my team. It was a 2-1 game at that point and Wilson Alvarez was throwing a great game and Matty, too.

Diehard spoke recently with Alex Cora for a story on the Red Sox reserves that appears in the August issue of Diehard. In this Q&A, Cora discusses why it’s easier for a bench player to get playing time on a contender, his daily routine and how he’s successful but not satisfied as a reserve. (FREE PREVIEW OF PREMIUM CONTENT!)

Diehard: How tough is it to build a cohesive bench with players who can handle their roles?

Alex Cora: I think winning helps a lot [laughs]. People talk about chemistry and all that. Chemistry comes with a three-game winning streak. There’s no magic thing. You win and it’s fun to come to the ballpark.

It’s tough when you’re not winning. You don’t play a lot. It seems like people that run teams, they panic a little bit and they want to throw nine guys out everyday. And it doesn’t work that way.


DH: Why is it easier to get playing time on a contender?

AC: It seems like when you’re winning, I think the way they think is [if] they can get an off-day here [for a starter], you can take it. For me, personally, that’s the way it works. [Teams] don’t want a losing streak and they don’t feel confident in [the] bench. But if you’re winning, it seems like it’s contagious and it seems like everybody helps.


DH: Have you talked to Wily Mo Pena and Eric Hinske, who are each under 30 and not far removed from their days as regular players?

AC: Yeah, we talk about it. It’s not easy, but I think it helps [when] we talk about it. Everybody knows that you don’t have great days everyday. Sometimes, you come to the ballpark and you’re like ‘Wow, I’m not going to play today.’ But we talk about it and we pick each other up and that’s why we have such a good routine going here. It doesn’t give you time to wonder what if, what would happen [if he played everyday].

BOSTON, June 14 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox teamed up with Volunteers of America and high school student leaders from the Boston Action Team youth volunteer corps today to highlight the need for meaningful summer volunteer activities for Boston youth. Cora joined several local high school students who are members of the Boston Action Team at Fenway High School to encourage inner city youth to get involved in their communities by volunteering in and around Boston during the summer. Volunteers of America's programs in Massachusetts support and empower the area's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, adults and adolescents in recovery from substance abuse, and elders in need of affordable housing and mental health services.

BOSTON, June 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox teamed up with Volunteers of America and high school student leaders from the Boston Action Team youth volunteer corps today to highlight the need for meaningful summer volunteer activities for Boston youth. Cora joined several local high school students who are members of the Boston Action Team at Fenway High School to encourage inner city youth to get involved in their communities by volunteering in and around Boston during the summer. Volunteers of America's programs in Massachusetts support and empower the area's most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, adults and adolescents in recovery from substance abuse, and elders in need of affordable housing and mental health services.

"It's a great honor to join the Boston Action Team Captains to help promote summertime volunteering activities," said Cora. "Summertime is a great time for high school students to support causes they believe in, and to help some of their neighbors in need. The Boston Action Team Captains have done a great job getting their peers to volunteer, and all Major Leaguers are extremely proud of the job Action Team high school students all across the country are doing to help train and inspire the next generation of volunteers."

The Red Sox finally lost last night, dropping the second game of their four game set with the Tigers . Tiger phenom Justin Verlander silenced the Red Sox bats over 7 and 2/3 innings, and the 7-2 decision marked the end of their 11 game winning streak.

Yes, I am aware that the Sox have played 38 games, so far this season. I’ll even concede that they have come out on the losing side 12 times. However, none of the other 11 losses had come after manager Terry Francona had scribbled 13 Cora onto his lineup card to start the game. Up until last night the Red Sox had been a perfect 11-0 with Cora as a starter.

In reality, that 11-0 is a misleading stat, as his stellar .392 batting average. To be sure, this is Cora’s best start to a season (I haven’t done any research, but it seems likely), and the fact that he has terrific stats has only served to call attention to a guy who plays the game the right way and is able to excell in a reserve role. One of the keys to winning a championship is having a deep bench with guys that are versatile and can produce despite not getting regular at bats. In Alex Cora, the Red Sox have just such a player.

BOSTON — Why can't the Boston Red Sox be more like the New England Patriots?

You've heard it before. In fact, if you're honest, you've probably said it before. Of course, you forget about guaranteed contracts and the game's obsession with statistics, which end the discussion immediately.

The inference is most Patriots players care more about winning than, say, getting a paycheck. Of course, that is not true, but you get the message. Patriots players take orders from Bill Belichick and they seem to follow them to a T.

But these first-place Red Sox are more like the Patriots than you think.

Exhibit A: Alex Cora.

NEW YORK -- Is it time to stir up a second base controversy?

No, no, please no, said Alex Cora, who had a two-run homer, a run-scoring infield out, and a triple that came within 2 feet of being a homer during yesterday's 7-4 Red Sox conquest of the Yankees.

"Not at all," he protested when asked if he thought he should be starting over the struggling Dustin Pedroia. "I don't make decisions. You go in, see your name on the card, and go do your best."

Cora's best is always pretty good, but lately his best has been superb. This was the third time he's had a direct hand in winning a game in a 10-day stretch that began with the game-winning triple in Toronto April 19, continued with the game-winning base hit off Mariano Rivera the following night, and then rolled merrily along with yesterday's scintillating performance in Yankee Stadium.

BALTIMORE - The first thing new Red Sox [team stats] hitting coach Dave Magadan did when he got ahold of Alex Cora [stats] was ask him to forget the slap hits, squeakers through the infield and bloops just beyond the reach of defenders’ gloves.

Magadan’s message: Remember how you hit those 10 homers in 2004.

Last night Cora had no problem flashing back to those days in Los Angeles, sending his first home run of the season 375 feet over the right field fence in the third inning of the Sox’ 6-1 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

“He was very positive from the get-go,” Cora said of his new hitting coach. “I’m not a huge guy, but I’m not the smallest either. It seems like I’m driving the ball. I feel stronger (than ’04), but back then I was playing all the time, so you could get a rhythm. Now you just work, work, work and hope for the best.”

TORONTO - Alex Cora [stats]’s adrenaline was pumping, and he put it to good use.

Just moments after being upended by a questionable Lyle Overbay slide on a momentum-changing double play to end the eighth inning, Cora laced a go-ahead RBI triple in the Red Sox [team stats]’ 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays yesterday.

“If he needs to make a play, he makes a play,” manager Terry Francona said. “The little things ended up being big things on a day like today.”

Cora’s first key contribution yesterday came in the field with one out and runners on the corners in the eighth inning of a 3-3 game. Aaron Hill laced a comebacker to Mike Timlin [stats], who turned and fired high and wide to second.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The simplest way to determine the value the Red Sox place on Alex Cora is to look at how they’re paying him.

A little more than two weeks after the end of the last World Series, before he even could get a sniff of what he was worth on the open market, the Sox signed Cora to a two-year, $4 million deal. He can earn an additional $1 million per year, depending on how many games he plays — $250,000 extra starting with 110 games, with an additional quarter-million at every 10-game increment up to 140 games.

Cora, a 31-year-old backup infielder, is being paid an average salary this season that is higher than the median salary of all but eight teams last season. The median salary of 17 teams last season was under $1 million. Mark Loretta, who started at second for the Sox last season, got only a one-year, $2.5 million deal from the Astros, who plan to use him in a utility role. Ronnie Belliard, who played second base for the world champion Cardinals, signed a minor league deal with the Nationals ($750,000). Miguel Cairo, the Yankees’ backup second baseman, is getting the same money in a big-league deal with the Bombers. Damion Easley is making a tick more ($850,000) from the Mets.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Much has been made of the offseason acquisitions of big-money free agents J.D. Drew, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Julio Lugo by the Boston Red Sox.

When you commit to spending a combined $209.1 million on three players, it’s easy to see why.

Still, lost in the Sox spending spree was a quiet little signing on Nov. 22 that could prove just as important to Boston’s pennant hopes in a much less obvious way.

Remember Alex Cora? You know, the guy who was going to be either the starting shortstop or second baseman before Lugo signed his $36 million deal and rookie prospect Dustin Pedroia was told second base was his job to lose.

08-03 | 15:19 hs. - According to the Puerto Rican, Boston will have to deal with many changes in the staff, where it stands out Joel Piñeiro's inexperience in the bullpen, and Daisuke Matsuzaka's, who will make his debut as pitcher in the Major Leagues.

In spite of this, Cora knows about the commitment of his franchise and he sees a stronger and more solid Boston in comparison to last year, for which he is willing to rule the Eastern Division of the American League and then the World Series.

During the winter recess, the Red Sox spent 160 million dollars in reinforcements and Alex Cora believes that it is the player's turn to fulfill the expectations.

(batanga.sportsya.com)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - It was well into a hot Florida afternoon, late enough that the rest of the Boston Red Sox major leaguers had already exited the team's minor league complex.

But out on Field No. 5, two men were doing all kinds of awkward-looking drills involving cones, rubber bands and other devices. Alex Cora and his trainer, Jose Cruz, were executing the plan laid out by a most unlikely director.

Scott Boras, of all people, has shown Cora the light.

"Scott and I talked about it and he said if you keep your legs and range, you're going to keep making money," the Sox utility infielder said. "I turned 31, but if I keep doing what I'm doing, there will be a few options out there, not breaking the bank, but making some money."

BOSTON -- The Red Sox won't have to worry about replacing dependable and versatile infield reserve Alex Cora. Instead, the club officially announced Friday that it has re-signed the left-handed-hitting veteran to a two-year contract.

In actuality, general manager Theo Epstein struck the deal with Cora's representatives roughly 10 days ago. With Cora in Boston, he held court Friday afternoon in the Red Sox's clubhouse to discuss his decision to stay.

Cora said after the season that the chances of him coming back were 50-50. The one reason Cora might have considered departing the Red Sox would have been to pursue an everyday job.

With the Red Sox' middle-infield situation up in the air for 2007, team sources indicate that they are closing in on a two-year deal with Alex Cora, which should protect the Sox in case of an injury or if their offseason pursuits fall short.

Both Alex Gonzalez and Mark Loretta remain free agents, though the Sox have indicated they're not closing the door on either player. The Indians and Mets have expressed interest in Loretta, and the Sox meanwhile are exploring the possibility of free agent Julio Lugo, who basically became a jack of all trades for the Dodgers after he was dealt from Tampa Bay to Los Angeles at the trade deadline.

BOSTON -- One of Boston's more reliable utility players has filed for free agency.

Alex Cora was the latest Red Sox player to officially test the free agent waters on Tuesday. While hitting just .238 with one homer and 18 RBIs, the 31-year-old again showed his versatility by starting a combined 61 games split between second base, third base and shortstop.

Cora, regarded as one of the steadier reserve infielders in the game, was acquired from Cleveland in exchange for Ramon Vazquez on July 7, 2005, and has served as a late-inning pinch-runner and defensive replacement during his time in Boston.

UTILITY INFIELDER
Alex Cora (.238, 1 HR, 18 RBI, .312 OBP, 6 SB)

Defensively, Cora is as good a backup middle infielder as anyone in the big leagues, but the impending free agent hurt his stock with a miserable second half at the plate. Cora hit .293 with a .397 on-base percentage in 99 at-bats prior to the All-Star Break but just .193 with a .238 on-base percentage in 135 at-bats the rest of the way.

Cora, who turned 31 in October, is still viewed as a valuable asset by the Sox, but he’s young enough to find work as a full-timer—particularly in the NL, where his minimal power would make him a fine no. 8 hitter.

2006 GRADE: C.

(scout.com)

BOSTON - A game finally went Boston's way when right fielder Alex Rios slapped the ball the wrong way.

Rios accidentally swatted Alex Cora's fly ball into the stands from about 10 feet in front of the wall for a two-run homer in the seventh inning that gave the Red Sox a 6-4 win on Thursday night and snapped their six-game losing streak.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Red Sox manager Terry Francona praised his team for doing the little things in last night’s 2-1 win over the Angels. Given the topic, it should surprise no one that Alex Cora was involved in much of it.

Playing at shortstop in place of the injured Alex Gonzalez, Cora went a modest 1-for-4 with a single. But after seeing 18 pitches in his only two at-bats (both outs) against Angels starter Jered Weaver, Cora was instrumental in producing what proved to be the game’s decisive run.
    With one out, the bases loaded and the Red Sox still holding a 1-0 lead, Cora was at first when Doug Mirabelli hit what should have been a rally-killing double-play ball. Cora, however, beat a hesitant Orlando Cabrera to second base, allowing Mike Lowell to score a run that proved critical.
    “That’s all Cora,” said Mirabelli. “That’s a double-play ball. When I hit it, I was (ticked) off because I knew it was a double-play ball.

Even though he has played in the two longest, nine-inning games in major league history, Alex Cora joked that he is not to blame.
Cora, who was the shortstop in the Red Sox’ record-setting 4-hour, 45-minute loss to the New York Yankees on Friday night, also appeared in the previous longest game on Oct. 5, 2001, for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a victory over the San Francisco Giants at Pac Bell Park.