Segura (bruised shin) scratched from lineup
Mariners shortstop fouled ball off left leg on Wednesday
OAKLAND -- Mariners shortstop Jean Segura, who fouled a ball off his left shin in the sixth inning of Wednesday's loss to the Padres, was scratched from Seattle's lineup about 90 minutes before Thursday's 7-1 series-opening win over the A's.
"Jean pulled himself out today," Mariners manager Scott Servais said after the game. "He got a bruise on his shin."
The Mariners had hoped to have their All-Star shortstop in the lineup for the crucial series opener as they try to chase down the A's for the second American League Wild Card spot, but instead had to move second baseman Dee Gordon to shortstop for his fourth start there this season.
Segura was diagnosed with a bruised shin after X-rays on Wednesday didn't show any broken bones. He was replaced in that game by utility man Andrew Romine for the final three innings.
Segura's absence is significant for a Seattle squad that has struggled to score runs of late, though it put up five runs in the first inning of Thursday's win. Segura has hit .317 with nine home runs, 58 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and leads the AL with 86 hits in road games, where he's batted .336.
Gordon's shift to shortstop opened the way for Robinson Cano to move back to second. He'd initially been scheduled to start at first base. Instead, Ryon Healy was inserted at first and Cano returned to his familiar spot at second.