OAKLAND, Calif. — Ken Griffey Jr. sure seems like someone who wants to stick around the Mariners for another season.
“If it works out for both sides, I’m fine,” Griffey said Thursday. “We’ll figure it out at the end of the year. We’ve still got 30 days.”
The 39-year-old Griffey returned to the lineup as the designated hitter batting in the cleanup spot against Oakland after missing six games with inflammation in his left knee. He entered with a .221 batting average, 14 homers and 43 RBIs.
Rivera progressing
TORONTO — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said his sore left groin felt fine after a light workout and he hopes to soon pitch off a bullpen mound.
“Everything is beautiful, marvelous,” said Rivera, who leads the majors with 38 saves. “Everything is great.”
Marlins’ Ramirez sits, then delivers
MIAMI — Hanley Ramirez was out of the starting lineup with a tight left hamstring for the second straight game against Atlanta a day after teammate Dan Uggla openly argued with the Marlins shortstop over a perceived lack of commitment. But Ramirez came up big with a pinch-hit single in the sixth off reliever Kris Medlen, driving in a run that made it 3-all and ending his 0-for-14 skid.
Ramirez could miss a few more starts.
Footnotes.
White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy (ankle, elbow) said he hopes to play catch today to see how he’s feeling.
• Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (back) might be ready to start Saturday’s game against the White Sox.
• Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton is day to day with a pinched nerve in his back.
• Rays center fielder B.J. Upton is day to day with a sprained left ankle.
• A federal judge in Madison, Wis., sentenced former Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman to six months in prison for not paying his taxes.
