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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Pregame: Jean Segura to disabled list (again), lineups and starters

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 against the Colorado Rockies on June 1, 2017 in Seattle. Segura was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right high ankle sprain on Friday. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

Game 56: The Seattle Mariners (25-30) host the Tampa Bay Rays (29-27) at 7:10 p.m. at Safeco Field.

Another rash of injuries and an extended bullpen outing has triggered a slew of moves to bolster the M’s roster.

First, the good news: DH Nelson Cruz was not seriously injured from getting hit in the hand in Thursday’s 6-3 loss to Colorado and he’s back in Friday’s lineup. Also, Felix Hernandez threw a simulated game at the park and according to reports felt “great.” The plan is for him to throw four innings for Tacoma on June 6 and make one more rehab appearance. If all goes well, he could rejoin the rotation for the weekend series in Texas June 16-18.

Now, the rest of the story… SS Jean Segura suffered a right high ankle sprain and was placed on the 10-day disabled list. In his place, the team recalled infielder Tyler Smith from AAA Tacoma. Smith was not on the 40-man roster, so to make room reliever Ryan Weber was transferred to the 60-day D.L. Also, recently aquired Andrew Aplin was designated for assignment.

The other transaction involved (what else) the bullpen. Casey Lawrence, who tossed five quality innings of relief and set the team record for strikeouts in a relief appearance with nine, was optioned to Tacoma in exchange for a fresh arm, belonging to RHP Tyler Cloyd.

Cloyd, 30, was 1-0 with a 1.10 ERA (2 ER, 16 1/3 innings) with 14 strikeouts in four starts with AAA Tacoma after having his contract purchased from the independent Atlantic League. In parts of two MLB seasons with Philadelphia (2012-13), he was 4-9 with a 5.98 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 19 games, including 17 starts.

Lineups and starters

Courtesy @MarinersPR
Courtesy @MarinersPR

Starters: RHP Christian Bergman (2-2, 4.67) vs. RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.14)

Mariners Notes

  • In his last start, May 28 at Boston, Christian Bergman tossed seven scoreless innings, his second start of at least seven clean frames since joining the Mariners on May 7 (also: May 17 vs. OAK – 7 1/3 shutout innings). Bergman is the second pitcher in club history to record two starts of seven-plus scoreless innings in his first five outings as a Mariner, joining James Paxton.
  • 3B Kyle Seager has hit in 11 of his last 12 games dating back to May 20. Over those 12 games, he is batting .340 (16 for 47) with 6 runs, 5 doubles, 1 home run and 6 RBI. Over his last 36 games (since April 19), he’s hitting .282 (40 for 142) with 16 runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 21 RBI with a .348 on-base mark and a .799 OPS.

This Day in Mariners History

In 1987, Ken Griffey Jr. was selected first overall in the 1987 June Draft out of Cincinnati’s Moeller High School. He received a $160,000 bonus and reported to the Bellingham Mariners.

In 2010, Ken Griffey Jr. announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.