Yet again, Mariners not too concerned with latest minor injuries

Mar 15, 2018, 3:58 PM | Updated: 4:13 pm

Jean Segura was added to the Mariners' long list of players dealing with mild muscle strains. (AP)

(AP)

Mariners Insider, Seattle Sports

PEORIA, Ariz. – There were no concrete updates Thursday afternoon on the statuses of Ichiro and Jean Segura, who came out of Wednesday night’s game with leg injuries. Mariners manager Scott Servais remains confident neither is dealing with anything serious, though.

“I know they are getting looked at again and I will know in a little while,” Servais said. “They are not going to play for a couple of days, there is no doubt about that. We will back off. It may be hard for Ichiro to sit out for a couple of days.”

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Ichiro played a half-inning in the field in the Mariners’ game against the Giants Wednesday and felt his calf tighten up. Segura came out of the game a couple of innings later with a tight hamstring. While both are undergoing further testing Thursday, Servais believes it is mostly a pair of cases of better safe than sorry.

“The heightened awareness of what is going on here, probably a little cautious right now,” Servais said. “The issue with Jean, I think that is something he would stay in the game on a normal night. I haven’t been around Ichiro that much. When it gets brought to my attention something is bothering him, you take it very, very seriously.”

Servais did receive word Thursday morning that Ichiro felt better than the night before. One thing is certain: better to encounter these injuries now when the Mariners can afford to give these players appropriate time down than in two weeks.

“I do know how you react to it in spring training and that’s what we have done,” Servais said. “We’ve pulled them out and give them a couple of days to recoup.”

Lineup! vs A’s

Gordon Beckham, SS
Mitch Haniger, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Junior Lake, LF
Mike Ford, 1B
Taylor Motter, 2B
David Freitas, C
Evan White, DH
Braden Bishop, CF

Ariel Miranda, LHP

Also scheduled to pitch: Ryan Cook, Mark Rzepczynski, Nick Vincent, Edwin Diaz.

Notes

• Catcher Mike Marjama, who fouled a ball off his lower leg Wednesday night, was a scratch from the original lineup.

• The Mariners have a new arm in camp as they have signed reliever Josh Smith to a minor league contract. Last year Smith made 26 appearances with the A’s, putting up a 4.89 ERA with 15 walks and 25 strikeouts.

• Felix Hernandez will throw a bullpen Friday and should be ready for game action shortly after. His first appearance will most likely be in a minor league game.

• Marco Gonzales threw his bullpen Thursday afternoon and all appeared to go well. He is scheduled to start a split squad game Saturday against the A’s. Casey Lawrence will get the start against the Angels that day in Peoria.