Yankees Take a Chance on Olerud

Recently released John Olerud signed with the New York Yankees on Tuesday, giving the team insurance at first base while Jason Giambi is treated for a benign tumor.

Olerud, a three-time Gold Glove winner, was the 1993 American League batting champion. But he started slumping in the second half last season with Seattle, and the Mariners cut him last month when his slide continued.

“I’ve definitely struggled, but I believe I can turn it around,” Olerud said. “I don’t feel like I’m that far off. I think I’m still that same player.”

Olerud was batting .245 with five home runs and 22 runs batted in in 78 games. The Mariners released him on July 27, shortly after he turned down a trade to the San Francisco Giants. He was in the final year of a contract that guaranteed him $7.7 million this year.

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The Cincinnati Reds activated Ken Griffey Jr. from the 15-day disabled list.

Griffey had been sidelined since tearing his right hamstring while chasing a fly ball on July 10. The injury forced him to miss the All-Star game last month.

Despite being activated, Griffey was not in the Reds’ lineup for their series opener Tuesday against San Francisco. He was expected to play today.

Griffey takes the roster spot of right-hander John Riedling, who went on the bereavement list Tuesday, a day after the death of his father, Jack.

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Left-hander Noah Lowry was recalled from triple-A Fresno to start for San Francisco against Cincinnati in place of Dustin Hermanson, who was moved to the bullpen and will become the Giants’ closer.

“It gives us a guy with a fresh arm down there,” Manager Felipe Alou said. “If we have a lead, Hermanson will close.”

To make room for Lowry, the Giants optioned right-handed reliever Kevin Correia to Fresno.