Seattle Mariners outfielder Matt Lawton was activated Wednesday after serving his 10-day suspension for testing positive for steroids.
Lawton was not in the lineup for the game against the Indians, but he was relieved to be eligible to play again.
"I'm glad to be back in there," he said, sitting at his locker. "It's been a little bit tough not being able to play in the games. But it wasn't as bad as I thought. I felt like the time went by pretty fast."
During his suspension, Lawton, who signed a one-year free agent deal with Seattle in December, was allowed to take batting practice and be in Seattle's clubhouse. However, he had to leave when the game began.
Lawton was suspended on Nov. 2, 2005, for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Because he tested positive under baseball's former program, Lawton had to miss the first 10 days of this season.
Under the new, tougher rules, a positive test would have meant a 50-game suspension.
Lawton said he's ready to play when Mariners manager Mike Hargrove gives him the nod.
"I'm still in pretty good shape from spring training," he said. "I had a lot of at-bats so that helped. I'm as ready as I'm going to be."
This spring, he batted .367 with eight doubles and eight RBIs in 49 at-bats.
The Mariners were one of the few teams willing to take a chance on the 34-year-old, who played for Pittsburgh, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees last season. Seattle signed him to a one-year, $400,000 deal with a limited no-trade clause.
He can earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances and would get the full amount if he reaches 600. He earned $7.5 million in 2005, completing a $27 million, four-year contract he agreed to with Cleveland in December 2001.
Since his suspension was announced, Lawton has never hid his guilt. He said the toughest part was having to confess to his family that he intentionally took boldenone, which is used by veterinarians.
Lawton batted a combined .254 last season with 13 homers and 53 RBIs in 141 games.
To make room for Lawton, the Mariners designated catcher Guillermo Quiroz for assignment. They also optioned right-hander Jeff Harris to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled catcher Rene Rivera from Tacoma.
SOX STAY CRISP: Coco Crisp agreed Wednesday to a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension with the Boston Red Sox. Crisp, on the disabled list with a broken finger, already was signed for this year at $2.75 million. The extension contains a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $3.5 million in 2007, $4.75 million in 2008 and $5.75 million in 2009. The deal contains an $8 million team option for 2010 with a $500,000 buyout and contains salary escalator provisions.
Crisp said his short time in Boston convinced him it was worth giving up his first shot at free agency.
"I was able to hang out with the guys and the front office, and see what they were like," Crisp said. "I had fun with the guys. Being with the Red Sox made it easy. You want the security and having that, and playing for the Red Sox, is great. There's no better place to be."
GRIFFEY LEAVES GAME: Cincinnati center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. left Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning because of stiffness in the back of his right knee. Griffey said the injury isn't serious, but he doesn't know if he will be able to play today in the series finale at Wrigley Field.
"We're going to come in and see tomorrow," he said.
Griffey said he initially got the injury while shagging fly balls before the game.
"It didn't really bother me. It just tightened up a little bit. That was it," Griffey said after the Reds' 4-1 loss to the Cubs.
ALSO: Tampa Bay placed third baseman Aubrey Huff on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain. Huff could be sidelined four to six weeks after he bumped into shortstop Nick Green near the bullpen while chasing a foul popup Tuesday night . . . The Texas Rangers placed rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler on the 15-day disabled list because of a dislocated left thumb and activated outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. from the 15-day DL.