Three-time All-Star C Javy Lopez retired Saturday after being reassigned to the Atlanta Braves' minor-league camp, ending his bid to return to the majors as a backup catcher. Lopez, who sat out all of last season, decided against trying to extend his 15-year career in the minors. Lopez was cut by the Colorado Rockies last spring and didn't play at all in 2007. He signed a minor-league deal in December with Atlanta, where he played from 1992-2003. "It didn't happen in spring training," Lopez said. "This is the only chance I get. They give me the opportunity to come back and prove to myself that I can still play. I had the chance and didn't do what I'm supposed to do, or at least not good enough." (Updated 03/22/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/16/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Lopez batted only .188 this spring in his attempt to become Brian McCann's backup. He made his decision after meeting with manager Bobby Cox on Saturday. Lopez finished his career as a .287 hitter with 260 home runs and 864 RBI. He was an All-Star with the Braves in 1997, 1998 and 2003. His best year was '03, when he hit .328 with 43 homers and drove in 109 runs, becoming only the third catcher in history with 40 homers, 100 RBIs and a .300 batting average. Obviously, he has no Fantasy value at this time, though he wouldn't have had much even if he made the team. (Updated 03/22/2008).
No information available at this time.
Three-time All-Star C Javy Lopez retired Saturday after being reassigned to the Atlanta Braves' minor-league camp, ending his bid to return to the majors as a backup catcher. Lopez, who sat out all of last season, decided against trying to extend his 15-year career in the minors. Lopez was cut by the Colorado Rockies last spring and didn't play at all in 2007. He signed a minor-league deal in December with Atlanta, where he played from 1992-2003. "It didn't happen in spring training," Lopez said. "This is the only chance I get. They give me the opportunity to come back and prove to myself that I can still play. I had the chance and didn't do what I'm supposed to do, or at least not good enough." (Updated 03/22/2008).
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/16/08).
Fantasy Analysis
Lopez batted only .188 this spring in his attempt to become Brian McCann's backup. He made his decision after meeting with manager Bobby Cox on Saturday. Lopez finished his career as a .287 hitter with 260 home runs and 864 RBI. He was an All-Star with the Braves in 1997, 1998 and 2003. His best year was '03, when he hit .328 with 43 homers and drove in 109 runs, becoming only the third catcher in history with 40 homers, 100 RBIs and a .300 batting average. Obviously, he has no Fantasy value at this time, though he wouldn't have had much even if he made the team. (Updated 03/22/2008).
