TUCSON — Rookie Chris Iannetta received an indication today he has claimed the Rockies' No. 1 catching job: Veteran Javier Lopez was released.

"The Rockies told me from the beginning that I would have to make the team,'' Lopez said. "When the Rockies signed me they thought Chris Iannetta might need another year at Triple-A. He came to spring training ready to play int he big leagues. From the Rockies' perspective, they would rather have Iannetta start his long career with the Rockies.''



Iannetta made the jump last year from Double-A to Triple-A to the big leagues and was billed as the Rockies' catcher of the future. They signed Lopez to a minor league contract as insurance in case Iannetta struggled or if they had concerns about the health of Yorvit Torrealba, who was placed on the disabled list twice last year with shoulder problems.

Torrealba has shown no signs of the shoulder being a problem again this year.

Lopez was a factor with the bat this spring but struggled defensively. He threw out only one of 10 runners attempting to steal.

Lopez indicated he might retire. He said he would not consider going to an American League team to be a designated hitter and said the only team he would consider a backup catching role with is Atlanta because he lives in the Atlanta area.