TUCSON - Rookie catcher Chris Iannetta received a strong endorsement from the Rockies on Monday.

The team released veteran catcher Javier Lopez, who conceded he had lost the No. 1 catching job. Iannetta wasn't taking anything for granted, and Rockies manager Clint Hurdle wasn't making any announcements.

But Lopez said plenty.

"When I signed here, I was told I had to make the team and that Chris Iannetta might need another year at Triple-A," Lopez said. "But he came to spring training ready to play in the big leagues. In their perspective, they would rather have Iannetta start his long career with the Rockies."

Lopez said he most likely will go home. He said if he cannot be a No. 1 catcher, the only team he would play for is Atlanta because he has played the bulk of his career with the Braves and it's the city where he makes his home.

Hurdle said Iannetta was a factor in the decision to release Lopez but also mentioned Yorvit Torrealba, placed on the disabled list twice last season because of right shoulder problems, is "in good physical health and we like what we have seen from (Geronimo) Gil and (Alvin) Colina."

Iannetta and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki are the prizes from the farm system whom the Rockies are hoping will emerge during spring training to claim jobs.

And so far, Hurdle said, "they have shown up well."

Tulowitzki provided a major lift Monday. Two days after being hit on the right forearm by a pitch from San Diego right-hander Doug Brocail, Tulowitzki took a full session of groundballs and batting practice in the morning, then pinch hit in the Rockies' 6-5, 10-inning loss against Arizona at Hi Corbett Field.

He was pronounced ready to return to full-time duty today.

"He didn't miss a tick," Hurdle said. "He is pretty much cleared to go ahead without any restraints."

Iannetta has moved forward, too. He went 0-for-3, dropping his average to .231, but has shown the defensive skills to ease concerns that grew out of his six weeks with the Rockies at the end of last season.

"We've seen improvement in him as a receiver," Hurdle said. "We know he has arm strength, and the accuracy is there. With a limited learning curve with our pitchers, he knows what they need to do. He is confident in his game-calling. He looks more relaxed."

That's because, Iannetta said, he is more relaxed.

After opening last season at Double-A, he was jumped to Triple-A then to the majors, a rapid rise for the team's fourth-round draft choice in 2004.

"(Last year's call-up) was big," Iannetta said. "When I first came up, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I thought I had to be perfect. I struggled a little, and then just started playing the game like I had always played it."

Iannetta said he was not reading anything into the move with Lopez.

"This is not over with by any means," he said of his bid to make the team. "I was surprised when Javy told me. I thought he was joking, but when I came back into the clubhouse I realized he wasn't.

"From a personal standpoint, nothing changes for me, though. I haven't been told anything. I still have to earn my spot."

Even though his time with Lopez was less than four weeks, Iannetta said whatever he accomplishes will be in part because of the veteran's help.

"From the first day he got here, he was trying to help me any way he could," Iannetta said. "I couldn't believe how nice he is."

Hurdle said the Rockies' decision on Lopez came early in camp because they wanted to give him a chance to find a job somewhere else instead of holding onto him until the final days of spring training, when roster decisions have pretty much been made.

Lopez didn't sound like he expected anything to open up.

"My job is to catch (not designated hit)," he said. "This winter, it was hard for me to find a team that might have a chance for me to play every day.

"Colorado gave me a shot, but it didn't work out."

The concern was with Lopez's physical skills. He did not show agility behind the plate and threw out only 1-of-10 runners attempting to steal.

He blamed that, in part, on his 2006 season with Baltimore, which signed Ramon Hernandez to be the catcher and put Lopez in the designated-hitter role.

"My throws to second base were not the best (this spring training)," he said. "I felt not catching last year set me back . . . Once the season starts, though, I felt my throwing would be back to normal."

Today's game

Rockies (Jeff Francis) vs. Padres (David Wells), 2:05 p.m., Hi Corbett Field, FSN-TV (no radio).

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com

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