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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Noon Number: M’s struck by injury bug again

Seattle Mariners’ Jean Segura is helped off the field by trainer Rob Nodine, left, and first base coach Casey Candaele, right, after suffering an injury sliding into second base in the fourth inning of the M’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on June 1, 2017 in Seattle. Segura was out on the play and left the game. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

Seattle Mariners stalwarts Jean Segura and Nelson Cruz combined for three at-bats before they both had to leave due to injury in Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Safeco Field.

Segura left in the fourth inning after he injured his left ankle on a hard slide into second base. Cruz had been hit in the left hand the previous inning, stayed in the game, but then did not come out for his plate appearance in the fifth, replaced by Boog Powell.

The team has been inundated with injuries all season long, starting with Drew Smyly’s flexor injury at the end of spring training, right up to Wednesday’s events.

The fresh injuries come a day after James Paxton’s triumphant return from a forearm strain on Wednesday when he carved up the Rockies over 51/3 innings in a 5-0 win. Of course, Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma remain out until mid- to late-June with their particular maladies.

The Mariners don’t have the most players on the current disabled list. Not by a long shot, really. But it’s particularly harsh to consider that four-fifths of their staring rotation have missed significant time.

We’ll know more on Friday afternoon whether their shortstop (and leadoff hitter) and cleanup hitter (and home run leader) will join them.