Mariners notebook: Last look at the regular lineup before it all counts

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Mariners’ spring training will come to a close with a “show and go” game against the Rockies at Salt River Fields Saturday. The regulars are in the lineup, but they’re not expected to be there long. An at-bat or two then off to Houston it is for this group.

One of the few surprises of the spring came late as manager Scott Servais dropped Jarrod Dyson to ninth in the order, going with Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger at the top.

“Dyson hasn’t played a ton in the last 10 days,” Servais pointed out. “I think it is important, that extra at-bat when it flips around, I like Segura at the top. We will see where it goes from there.”

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The lineup could change throughout the year, but for now, Servais is going with the leadoff hitter with more track record. Haniger’s ability to hit second helped the decision along.

“I like what Haniger has done,” Servais said. “He shows the ability of understanding situational hitting. We have been very impressed with him. We will see what happens. I doubt we will stay that way the whole year. We may mix and match; Dyson may end up back at the top in awhile, but right now it’s kind of where we are leaning.”

Lineup

Jean Segura, SS
Mitch Haniger, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Danny Valencia, 1B
Leonys Martin, CF
Mike Zunino, C
Jarrod Dyson, LF

Yovani Gallardo, RHP

Also scheduled to pitch: Ariel Miranda (four to five innings), Dan Altavilla, Casey Fien and Evan Scribner.

Notes

• The Mariners have yet to announce who will take Dillon Overton’s place when he goes on the paternity list for the birth of his first child. The replacement needs to be on the 40-man roster. If I had to guess, I would think it would be Chase De Jong.

• As always, nothing is real until the lights come on in the regular season, but Mike Zunino is finishing the spring with a very hot bat. This is somewhat significant as the pitching gets better later in the spring. Zunino has gone 11 for his last 28 with eight runs, five doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs and NINE WALKS. Heading into the final game, he has 13 walks and 11 strikeouts this spring.

• The Mariners will hold a workout in Houston Sunday. On that day the team will go through its normal pregame schedule, holding hitters and pitchers meetings as well as batting practice.