So here's the news on the Twins' latest left-handed hire, Randy Choate, who pitched in 30 games for Arizona last season and is one of those lefties who shows up to face a batter or two and then makes way for the rest of the bullpen:

Associated Press: Left-handed reliever Randy Choate and the Minnesota Twins agreed to terms Tuesday on a minor-league contract.

Choate spent most of last season with Triple-A Tucson, but he appeared in 30 games and posted a 3.94 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 16 innings for Arizona. He pitched a career-high 50 2-3 innings in 2004 for the Diamondbacks, who acquired him in a trade with Montreal for right-hander John Patterson.

Choate began his career with the New York Yankees, who drafted him in the fifth round in 1997 and eventually traded him to the Expos in 2003 as part of a deal for right-hander Javier Vazquez. Choate has thrown 165 major league innings over parts of seven seasons; his best performance came in 2001 when he went 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA in 48 1-3 innings for the Yankees.

Choate, 31, is one of three left-handers the Twins have signed to minor-league deals who will have a chance to win a bullpen spot in spring training. Mike Venafro and Carmen Cali are the others.

Last year, once rookie Francisco Liriano was promoted to the rotation in May, Dennys Reyes was the only lefty — something general manager Terry Ryan is trying to avoid this season. Reyes went 5-0 with an 0.89 ERA in 50 2-3 innings, earning him a $2 million, two-year contract extension.

"Even though Dennys did such a tremendous job, we could have used another guy," Ryan said. "I think we dodged one there."

In other words, RD advises Batgirl and Jeb that Dash's best chance at major-league employment may be as a left-handed short guy, and that it's never too early to prepare him for that career path. Besides, if he's a lefty, he'll never be asked to be the catcher.

Finally, if you're looking for an unusual way to honor a friend, loved one and/or a favorite player, RD and TwinsGoddess recommend this.