Ichiro, Segura exit game with leg injuries

Heredia's timing 'getting there'; Paxton fans 7 in start vs. Giants

March 15th, 2018

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The list of injured Mariners players keeps getting longer.
Outfielder left Wednesday night's game against the Giants after the top of the first inning with a tight right calf, and shortstop departed after the third inning with right hamstring tightness.
Spring Training information
"[Ichiro] had some calf tightness and he noticed it right away and came out precautionary," Mariners manager Scott Servais said after Seattle's 5-4 victory over San Francisco. "Jean Segura with hamstring tightness is no big issue. I think everyone has a heightened awareness with what is going on [with injuries] right now. I don't expect those guys to be out long, but we will know more tomorrow."
Ichiro, hitless in five at-bats in two previous Cactus League games, started in left field, but after struck out the first three batters of the game, pinch-hit for Ichiro leading off the bottom of the inning. Ichiro then left the field riding in a golf cart.
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Segura singled in the first and walked in the third, advancing to third base on Mitch Haniger's single, before being replaced by Danny Muno to start the fourth. Muno took over at second base, with Zach Vincej sliding over to short.
The Mariners are already dealing with injuries to designated hitter (right quad strain), second baseman (left hamstring strain), outfielder Ben Gamel (right oblique strain), right-hander (bruised right forearm), left-hander (right hand contusion) and third baseman (sore left shoulder).
Camp battles
Outfielder , who is coming off shoulder surgery during the offseason, doesn't know what position he will play when the regular season starts, and it really doesn't matter to him.
"Physically, I'm good, and my timing is getting there, too," Heredia said in Spanish. "My goal is to make the team and I have to win the spot. That's what I am focused on."

Heredia will share time in left field with Ichiro and is expected to back up Dee Gordon in center field when the regular season begins. The return of starting left fielder Gamel, who won't be available until mid-April because of an oblique strain, could make for a crowded outfield.
"[Heredia] needs to get his timing down with some consistent at-bats and that's why we are ramping it up this week," Servais said. "I don't have any worries that he will be ready for Opening Day and able to help us in whatever role we put him in all around the outfield."
Heredia, who has played in 97 games in left field and 64 games in center field during the last two seasons with the Mariners, has two hits in his first 12 at-bats during Cactus League play. He's also played 15 games in right field during the last two years.
Worth noting
• Paxton gave up two runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Giants on Wednesday night. He walked one batter and struck out seven. Paxton is on track to pitch Opening Day for the Mariners if Hernandez (bruised forearm) is not ready.
(right hand) took batting practice on the field Wednesday and is scheduled for another session on the field Thursday before he faces live pitching later this week. He could return to Cactus League action this weekend.
• The Mariners outrighted right-handed pitcher Mike Morin to Triple-A Tacoma. With the move, the 40-man roster is now at 38.
Up next
The Mariners will send left-hander to the mound Thursday against the A's in Mesa at 7:05 p.m. PT. Miranda is competing with and others for the fifth spot in the rotation.