Mariners notebook: Updates on Mitch Haniger, Felix Hernandez, Jean Segura

Prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Twins, Mariners manager Scott Servais had updates on a number of the Mariners’ players currently on the disabled list. Here’s a breakdown of what he shared:

• Mitch Haniger: Out with an oblique injury since early May, Haniger will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday night, occupying the designated hitter spot for the Rainiers. Servais said the plan for the right fielder is to play six innings in the field Wednesday, DH again Thursday and then play nine innings in the field Friday. “After he’s had three or four games under his belt, we’ll get some feedback on where he’s at down there and make a determination when he can get back on the roster here,” Servais said.

• Felix Hernandez: Haniger isn’t the only Mariner in Tacoma starting a rehab assignment. Hernandez, who has been out with shoulder bursitis for a month, will pitch in what is expected to be the first of two rehab starts in the minors. Servais said the plan is for him to throw around 60 pitches or four innings. Asked what the team’s goal for Hernandez and Haniger is, Servais responded, “Get through it healthy and feel good about where they’re at physically.”

• Hisashi Iwakuma: Also plagued by a shoulder issue, Iwakuma didn’t have any setbacks after throwing a simulated game on the field at Safeco Field on Saturday. Servais said he will have another sim game before going out on a rehab assignment, and that he “still has a ways to go” to get to a rehab start.

• Drew Smyly: Out of action since the end of spring training with a flexor strain, Servais said the lefty starter is “picking up the intensity” in his throwing program, though he has yet to throw off a mound. “I think he’s frustrated. He wants to get out there and pitch,” Servais said.

• Jean Segura: The most recent Mariner to suffer an injury, Segura is no longer in a walking boot and is giving his skipper reason to be optimistic the shortstop won’t be out for more than a month with the high ankle sprain he suffered on June 1. “I’m optimistic. I don’t think he’s gonna be out as long as initially said, but that’s just going off of what Jean’s telling me and how he’s feeling,” Servais said. “Sometimes the last part of the rehab with the high ankle sprain can be the most difficult when you start doing the cutting and the lateral movement and stuff like that. He’s kinda ahead of schedule, if you can say that. It’s only been four or five days.”

Notes

• James Paxton, who came off the DL just last week, will make his second start back from injury Tuesday night, and Servais indicated that he will still have a shorter leash than normal, albeit one that is open to discretion. “Once you get fifth, sixth inning, you’re kinda looking at where he’s at stuff-wise. Pitches-wise, haven’t put an exact number on it tonight.”

• Guillermo Heredia will lead off for the Mariners in the series opener against the Twins. The full lineups can be found in this post.

Follow @BrentStecker