Mariners’ Ichiro, Jean Segura expected to be OK after early exits
Mar 14, 2018, 10:19 PM | Updated: 11:12 pm
Jean Segura was added to the Mariners' long list of players dealing with mild muscle strains. (AP)
(AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. – Once again the first order of business upon arrival at the Mariners spring training complex Thursday will be to check on the most recently injured. Add Ichiro and Jean Segura to the list.
Iwakuma making good progress | Servais optimistic about injuries
With Dee Gordon getting the day off, Ichiro was in the lineup batting leadoff Wednesday night against the Giants. He took his spot in left field in the top of the first inning, but in the bottom half the announcement was made that John Andreoli was stepping up to the plate to bat first. A few minutes later it was announced Ichiro left the game with a tight calf.
Two innings later there was a shuffle of infielders as Jean Segura exited the ballgame with a tight hamstring.
After the game, manager Scott Servais said that neither injury is expected to be serious.
“Ichi had a little calf tightness. He noticed it right away and wanted to come out precautionary,” Servais said. “Jean Segura, the hamstring tightened, no big issue. I think everyone has a little heightened awareness of what’s going on here right now. I don’t expect those guys to be out long but we will know more tomorrow.”
For those of you keeping track at home, this is the list of players expected to make the 25-man roster that are currently out of action: Ryon Healy, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Segura, Ichiro, Ben Gamel, Felix Hernandez, Marco Gonzales and Erasmo Ramirez.
An alarming number of players down, but take a deep breath. Most should be back before opening day.
• Healy: Took batting practice on the field for the first time Wednesday since hand surgery; could return to games this weekend.
• Cano: Expected to miss 5-7 days with hamstring strain.
• Cruz: Expected to miss 3-4 days with quad strain.
• Segura: Injury not thought to be serious. Walked back to the clubhouse between innings.
• Ichiro: Injury not thought to be serious.
• Gamel: Will start season on disabled list with oblique strain.
• Felix: Will throw second bullpen Friday since taking line drive off his pitching arm and should get his first start back Sunday or Monday.
• Gonzales: Will throw a bullpen Thursday despite being hit in non-pitching hand Monday and is expected to make his scheduled start Saturday.
• Ramirez: On a throwing program in recovery from lat strain and should be ready when needed in mid-April.
As for the game Wednesday night, a 5-4 win over San Francisco, James Paxton looked much closer to regular season form than he had in his previous spring starts. He showed an increase in velocity with his fastball sitting at 95-96 mph, and his curveball and cutter were sharp as well.
“It is starting to come around. I felt better about my rhythm, timing on the mound. It’s going in the right direction for sure,” Paxton said.
Paxton also made a very athletic play in the field without incident, getting over to first to record an out and then spinning around to hold a runner at third.
“All sorts of range,” he said while confirming that he could not have made that play in previous years. “No chance. That’s about as good as it gets for me. That’s the end range.”
