Lefty reliever Javier Lopez retires after 14 major league seasons
Veteran left-handed reliever Javier Lopez told Fox Sports that he is retiring after 14 major league seasons.
"More than anything, it's just time," Lopez told the website. "It's a young man's game. Although I think I can compete, it's getting harder and harder to get ready for spring.
"I'm looking forward to some other things in my life. We'll see what they are. I don't know yet, but we'll come up with something."
Lopez, 39, was a free agent this offseason. He was 1-3 with one save last season for the San Francisco Giants, the team with which he spent the past seven seasons. He had a 4.05 ERA in 26 2/3 innings in 68 appearances in 2016.
He held left-handed batters to a .208 average last season and was adept at getting left-handers out throughout his career, holding them to a .202 average.
He was part of four World Series championship teams, once with the Boston Red Sox (2007) and three with the Giants ('10, '12 and '14).
He also played for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates in his career, which he finishes with a 30-17 record, 14 saves and a 3.48 ERA.
