Boston Red Sox C Varitek to retire Thursday

A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Boston Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek has decided to retire.

The Boston Globe first reported Varitek's decision on Monday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Varitek had not made an announcement. Varitek is expected to make it official Thursday at Boston's spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla.

Varitek turns 40 in April. The three-time All-Star spent all 15 of his big league seasons with the Red Sox.

The Red Sox signed catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach to one-year deals this winter. New Boston general manager Ben Cherington offered Varitek an invitation to camp, but the Red Sox had been practicing for more than a week without him.