HOUSTON — It’s no surprise, but shortstop Jean Segura will bat leadoff Monday for the Seattle Mariners in their 2017 season opener, manager Scott Servais confirmed prior to Sunday’s workout at Minute Maid Park.
Segura, 27, filled the role for the final four spring games as left-fielder Jarrod Dyson worked to regain his timing after missing more than a week in late March because of a sore hamstring.
“As of right now, yes,” Servais said of Segura batting first. “I liked the look of it the last few days in camp. I think Segura is swinging the bat very well.”
Segura batted .319 for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, leading the National League with 203 hits and 637 at-bats. He also set career highs with 41 doubles, 20 homers, 64 RBI and compiled a .368 on-base percentage and a .499 slugging percentage.
Servais confirmed his entire lineup for Monday’s opener against Houston Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel. Again, no surprises:
1. Jean Segura, shortstop; 2. Mitch Haniger, right field; 3. Robinson Cano, second base; 4. Nelson Cruz, designated hitter; 5. Kyle Seager, third base; 6. Danny Valencia, first base; 7. Leonys Martin, center field; 8. Mike Zunino, catcher; 9. Jarrod Dyson, left field.
“People say we’re putting a lot on Mitch Haniger (batting second),” Servais said of the rookie. “I think Mitch Haniger is ready to go be Mitch Haniger. He had a great spring, and we’re going to, hopefully, continue on the same path. I like the top of the lineup.
“At the bottom, where the speed guys are right now, I think that’s another interesting dynamic for us. We need all of those guys to contribute. We know what the middle of our lineup can do. They’ve been very consistent, and they’ve got a really (good) track record.
“It’s the pieces around them that are really going to make the difference.”
Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez will make his ninth straight (and 10th overall) start on opening day. He is 6-1 with a 1.49 ERA in his previous nine starts in season openers.
That one loss came last year when he gave up one earned run and just one hit over six innings in a 3-2 loss at Texas.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch hadn’t yet announced his lineup for Monday’s game at least in part because he hadn’t determined whether veteran Carlos Beltran will start in left field or serve as the designated hitter.
Either way, the first five spots appear set: George Springer, right field; Alex Bregman, third base; Jose Altuve, second base; Carlos Correa, shortstop; and Beltran.
If Beltran is the DH, then ex-Mariner Nori Aoki likely will play left field. If Beltran plays left field, then Evan Gattis is expected to be the DH. Where each would fit in the lineup isn’t certain.
The rest of the lineup will include Josh Reddick in right field, Brian McCann as the catcher, and Yulieski Gurriel at first base.
The Mariners announced their tentative 25-man roster Friday to allow those affected to begin making travel plans. The official deadline was 9 a.m. Sunday — and there were no changes.
The Mariners officially reached the 25-man limit by placing six players on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to March 30: utilityman Shawn O’Malley and pitchers Steve Cishek, Shae Simmons, Drew Smyly, Rob Whalen and Tony Zych.
DE JONG ON DECK
The Mariners plan to recall right-hander Chase De Jong from Triple-A Tacoma whenever lefty Dillon Overton departs on paternity leave.
Overton’s wife, Morgan, is tentatively expected to give birth Tuesday to the couple’s first child. He was not with the club for Sunday’s workout at Minute Maid Park.
MLB rules permit a player to miss up to three games on paternity leave.
“These things are unpredictable,” Servais said. “We’re trying to make sure we have everything covered.”
De Jong is already with the club and took part in Sunday’s workout but has not yet been officially recalled.
The Mariners acquired De Jong in a March 1 trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor-league players: former Everett AquaSox shortstop Drew Jackson, and right-handed pitcher Aneurys Zabala. De Jong was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma March 17.
De Jong, 23, has pitched only one game in his career about Double-A. That was at the end of last season when he gave up one run in 5 1/3 innings for Oklahoma City in an 8-1 victory at Omaha.
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