Griffey Leads in AL Balloting

Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Joey Cora and David Segui lead in voting for their respective positions for the American League all-star team.

Griffey, an eight-time all-star and top vote-getter in the major leagues in 1994, 1996 and 1997, leads all players with 312,584 votes.

Rodriguez, with 179,989 votes, is looking for his second consecutive start at shortstop. Cora (120,387) leads at second base and Segui (113,473) leads at first.

Ivan Rodriguez of Texas tops catchers (200,164), Cal Ripken of Baltimore leads third basemen (218,824) and following Griffey in the outfield are Juan Gonzalez of Texas (136,772) and Kenny Lofton of Cleveland (104,655).

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Chris Hammond is a free agent, the Florida Marlins announced.

He was sent outright to triple-A Charlotte but refused the assignment and immediately became a free agent, Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski said.

Hammond was 0-2 with a 6.59 earned-run average in three games for the Marlins this season.