Segura, Haniger to top Mariners’ lineup

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Seattle newcomers Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger are set to bat at the top of the Mariners’ lineup to start the season.

Manager Scott Servais made the announcement Saturday. He said the batting order he used in Saturday’s 1-all tie with Colorado in the spring training finale would “probably” be his lineup for the Monday opener at Houston.

Segura hit .319 last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading off in 147 games. The shortstop batted .341 in spring training, including two three-hit games in his final four games.

Haniger concluded spring training with a .385 average. The rookie right fielder also came from Arizona in a five-player trade in November.

Their strong showings forced the Mariners to adjust their initial blueprint.

Entering spring training, the Mariners’ plan was to bat speedster Jarrod Dyson, yet another new addition, first with Segura second. Haniger was going to hit sixth or seventh. Dyson was setback by a hamstring issue and missed 10 games, but finished healthy.

“I really like the way Jean Segura swings the bat,” Servais said. “He is obviously very comfortable hitting leadoff. Segura is a real threat when you turn the lineup over.”

“I think it is important with that extra at-bat when it flips around, I like to see Segura at the top and we’ll see where it goes after that,” he said.