MINNEAPOLIS -- Seattle manager Scott Servais wasn't far off from his prediction of when shortstop Jean Segura would return to the club.
Servais had anticipated a return as early as the Rangers series, but Segura will compete in a full workout on Friday in Arlington. Depending on how the workout goes, Segura could play a rehab game or two with Triple-A Tacoma before ultimately returning to the Mariners for their next homestand that begins Monday.
"We will put him through a more complete workout tomorrow in Texas," Servais said on Thursday prior to the series finale with the Twins. "If it goes good tomorrow, there is a chance we get him a game in Tacoma. But probably not going to see him in the Texas series, that was my goal. But we are going to be close."
Segura, who is leading the American League in hitting with a .341 average, has been sidelined for two weeks after he sustained a high ankle sprain on June 1. Entering Thursday, the Mariners were 8-4 in the 12 games without their sensational shortstop. Segura took swings in the batting cage on Monday and started running on Tuesday, as he nears his return.
However, Friday's workout will focus more on lateral movement. Servais said Segura's still feeling it when he runs laterally to his right.
"That's probably the only thing holding him back," Servais said. "It doesn't bother him at all in the batter's box. When you go to your right at short, it's your right foot that you plant."
Worth noting
Mariners right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma (right shoulder inflamation) tossed four scoreless innings for Class A Advanced Modesto on Wednesday, while allowing one hit and recording four strikeouts. It was his first game action since May 7. Iwakuma, who is 0-2 with a 4.35 ERA, will throw another rehab start next week with Tacoma and then likely rejoin the rotation.