Jose Lopez and $3.6 million salary designated for assignment by Rockies

Back in December the Mariners were expected to non-tender Jose Lopez rather than risk giving him a raise on last year’s $3 million salary via arbitration following a season in which he hit just .239 with a ghastly .279 on-base percentage and .609 OPS.

Instead the Rockies stepped in at the last minute and traded minor-league pitcher Chaz Roe to the Mariners for Lopez, tendering him a contract and eventually settling on a $3.6 million salary for 2011.

Lopez has been even worse in Colorado, hitting just .208 with a .233 on-base percentage and .521 OPS through 38 games, and now the Rockies have designated him for assignment.

Because he’s still owed about $2.5 million Lopez is highly unlikely to be claimed off waivers, which means the Rockies will likely stash him at Triple-A or eat most of that salary to facilitate a trade. He was an All-Star at age 22, but Lopez now looks washed up at age 27.