ARLINGTON -- Jean Segura put his injured right ankle through an extensive workout running the bases and taking ground balls on Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Park, as the standout shortstop continued getting closer to rejoining the Mariners at some point next week.
Manager Scott Servais said Segura -- who was hitting .341 when he suffered a high right ankle sprain while sliding into second base on June 1 -- will likely go out on a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Monday and Tuesday and could be back with the Mariners after that if all goes well.
"I was very bullish in my statements that we could try to get him on the field here in Texas," Servais said prior to Saturday's game with the Rangers. "We did get him on the field, just not in a game. We're probably looking at a day or two rehab, DH and play some short, get him a couple at-bats and hopefully activate him after that if things keep going well. I'm happy he's recovered as quickly as he has. It could have been a lot worse."
Segura said he initially thought he broke the ankle when he slid awkwardly in the game against the Rockies at Safeco Field. He still feels soreness in the joint, but is eager to get back into action.
"I'm pretty close," Segura said. "I'm moving well. I'm moving enough. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I'm moving well. By Monday, it should be even better because day by day it's feeling more comfortable and less sore."
When Segura does return, Servais will slide him back into the leadoff role despite the fact left fielder Ben Gamel is hitting .347 and has been extremely effective in that spot the past two weeks.
"We're going to leave Segura and [Mitch] Haniger at the top," Servais said "Gamel will fit nicely at seven or whatever hole it is. There'll be times to mix it up and move it around a little, but he's been really, really good. I don't see any reason you don't put Jean Segura anywhere else. He's leading the league in hitting and Gamel is right there with him. We'll leave it where it was at and see where it goes from there."
Worth noting
• Pat Light, a 26-year-old left-handed reliever, was claimed off waivers from the Pirates and assigned to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday. Light was 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA and four saves in 22 games for Triple-A Indianapolis before being designated for assignment last Saturday.
Light pitched 17 games in the Major Leagues last season -- 15 with the Twins and two with the Red Sox -- and was 0-1 with an 11.34 ERA in 16 2/3 innings. He was a first-round Draft pick of the Red Sox in 2012 out of Monmouth University.
• Right-hander Ryne Harper had his contract outrighted to Tacoma after clearing waivers for the Mariners to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Light. The 28-year-old is 2-0 with three saves and a 1.89 ERA in 19 innings with Tacoma. He was called up by the Mariners on May 28, but optioned back to Tacoma two days later without appearing in a game.