TUCSON, Ariz.-
The Colorado Rockies released veteran catcher Javy Lopez Monday.
Lopez, the 1996 National League Championship Series MVP, had signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Rockies after he was released by the Red Sox in September. He had been competing with veteran Yorvit Torrealba and prospect Chris Iannetta for a spot on Colorado’s roster.
Rockies spokesman Jay Alves said the team wanted to release Lopez early enough in the spring to give him an opportunity to catch on somewhere else. Lopez said last month he preferred not to become a DH in the American League.
Lopez broke in with Atlanta in 1992 and played in the World Series with the Braves. He has a career .287 batting average with 267 doubles, 260 homers and 864 RBI in 1,503 games.
In other moves, the Rockies optioned infielders Jonathan Herrera and Jayson Nix, and outfielder Jeff Salazar, while infielders Joe Koshansky and Ian Stewart, along with outfielders Sean Barker, Matt Miller, and Seth Smith, were all reassigned to minor league camp.
The Rockies’ major league spring training roster now stands at 47 players, including 11 non-roster players.
