Griffey Jr. rests ailing hamstring

Cincinnati (ap) Ken Griffey Jr. was out of Cincinnati’s lineup Thursday, resting his tender hamstring while the Reds finished their series against his former team.

Griffey played the first two games against the Seattle Mariners, his first times in the lineup since he strained his right hamstring on June 7.

The hamstring isn’t completely healed and the knee is a little sore, so manager Bob Boone decided to rest him.

“He can feel that he’s played two days,” Boone said.

Cubs call Echevarria, send Ojeda down

Chicago (ap) The Chicago Cubs called up outfielder-infielder Angel Echevarria from Class AAA Iowa and sent infielder Augie Ojeda to the same club Thursday.

Echevarria, who has played in the majors with Colorado and Milwaukee, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent last December. In 278 major league games, he has a .274 average with 18 homers and 69 RBIs.

Ojeda batted .186 in 30 games with the Cubs and had been recalled from Iowa on June 10.