Three-time All-Star Javy Lopez retired yesterday 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. He batted only .188 this spring in his attempt to become Brian McCann's backup.

The Braves also optioned pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes and outfielder Brandon Jones to Triple-A Richmond, as they reduced their roster by seven.

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."

Lopez made his decision after meeting with manager Bobby Cox yesterday.

"Hopefully, he can still continue in the organization, get some at-bats and see what happens," Cox said.

Lopez finished his career as a .287 hitter with 260 home runs and 864 RBIs. 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.

Lopez signed with Baltimore before the 2004 season and spent part of '06 with Boston.

MARLINS

HENDRICKSON IN OPENER

Mark Hendrickson was chosen by manager Fredi Gonzalez to start the Florida Marlins' season opener March 31 against the New York Mets at Dolphin Stadium.

"He pitched terrific in spring training and he's our veteran guy," Gonzalez said. "The way he's pitched in spring training, he deserves it."

Through four starts this spring, the 33-year-old has a 1.69 ERA. Through 16 innings, he has allowed 15 hits, two earned runs, walked two and struck out nine.

"It's a nice honor. It's not something that many pitchers can say they got an opportunity to do. For me, I'm just going to approach it like any other start," Hendrickson said.

One of 11 players to suit up in both the NBA and Major League Baseball, Hendrickson was 4-8 with a 5.21 ERA for the Dodgers in 2007. He signed a $1.5 million, one-year deal with the Marlins in January to add an innings-eating veteran to a young rotation.

SHORT HOPS

Dodgers: Los Angeles second baseman Jeff Kent played in a simulated game yesterday and also did some light running, but likely won't be ready to play until next week at the earliest. Manager Joe Torre said Kent is not yet running freely. Kent had not run since receiving a cortisone shot in his right hamstring Monday.

Pirates: Pittsburgh second baseman Freddy Sanchez will see a specialist tomorrow to try to determine the cause of shoulder pain that has limited the two-time All-Star infielder to only two appearances in the field this spring. After being examined by team doctors Friday and yesterday, Sanchez was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis.

Yankees: New York left-hander Andy Pettitte was scratched from his scheduled start in a minor league game yesterday because of back spasms. Pettitte said his back locked up while driving home after working out Thursday. He expects to make his next start Thursday and be ready for the regular season.

A's beat Giants, 4-3: Bobby Crosby and Jack Hannahan hit back-to-back homers and Emil Brown drove in the winning run in the ninth as the Oakland Athletics beat the Yomiuri Giants, 4-3, yesterday in Tokyo. The A's will meet the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday to open the regular season. The Red Sox beat the Hanshin Tigers, 6-5, earlier yesterday.