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.