Segura replaces Hanley Ramirez, who has been scratched because of shoulder stiffness
PEORIA, Ariz. — Add another expected key contributor to the list of Mariners players committed to the World Baseball Classic. On Thursday morning, the team announced that shortstop Jean Segura has been added to the Dominican Republic roster. He’ll join teammates Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz as they try to defend their WBC title.
“I’m excited because I’m going to play with those guys and because I’m going to play for the country that I love and where I come from,” he said. “It’s my first time to do this. I’m very excited.”
Segura replaces Hanley Ramirez, who pulled out of the WBC because of shoulder soreness. In three Cactus League games, Segura is batting .545 (6-for-11) with two doubles, a homer and three RBI.
Considering his monster year last season in 2016 — hitting .319 with an .867 on-base plus slugging percentage, 41 doubles, seven triples, 20 home runs, 64 RBI and 33 steals in 153 games — it was surprising that Segura was left off the team initially. But he wasn’t angry about the snub.
“I wasn’t disappointed,” he said. “I was ready. I was one of the guys that called Moises (Alou) and told him I’m available if needed.”
Segura has never represented the Dominican Republic in an international competition in the past. He watched on television when Cano and Cruz led the DR to a WBC title three years ago.
“It’s my first time to do something like this,” he said. “I’m excited.”
While general manager Jerry Dipoto has been, and was still, publicly supportive of the WBC and its meaning to the game of baseball, the idea of having their middle infield and projected No. 2, 3, 4 hitters gone along with two starters in the rotation and their closer is concerning because of injury.
“We’re all supportive of the WBC and the competition and what goes on,” Dipoto said. “I know Jean was pretty happy to receive the call.”
For manager Scott Servais, losing Segura wasn’t unexpected, but suboptimal.
“It’s tough,” Servais said. “We kind of thought that it might happen even after the original rosters came out. If there was an injury, I figured he was right there on the edge of going, so I understand. He’s excited about going. He is going to play for the Dominican Republic team. I think that’s the important thing. We just didn’t want him to go sit. We’ve been told that he’s going to get the chance to play quite a bit. Good for him.”
Segura was told that he would start at least one game at shortstop and play in another game.
“I just want to be there and contribute to the team and help them win,” he said.
Dipoto put a positive spin on having so many players selected to play.
“I’m pretty fired up that the world thinks enough of our players that they’re taking a dozen of them,” Dipoto said. “And it could have been much worse. We had other really good players say no. So we’re looking at it as a benefit.”
If the Mariners are searching for positives, this does allow Segura and Cano to continue to work together in game situations with escalated meaning.
With Segura gone, it will give the Mariners additional game reps for Taylor Motter and Shawn O’Malley, who are competing for the utility spot on the roster.
“We’re going to get a pretty good look at the Modesto Nuts next week,” Dipoto joked of the Class A affiliate. “That’s the reality of our situation. We’re losing a dozen guys camp wide and 10 at the big-league level. We’re losing our middle infield, roughly half our lineup and at least 40 percent of our starting rotation. It’ll be an interesting 10-day stretch for us, but it gives us a great opportunity to look at guys.”
Those looks will come at shortstop and starting pitcher.
Young starting pitchers Andrew Moore, Max Povse and the recently acquired Chase De Jong will also cover some of the missed innings by Felix Hernandez and Yovani Gallardo.
Here’s the list of the players confirmed for the WBC
- Cano, Cruz, Segura (Dominican Republic)
- Felix Hernandez (Venezuela)
- Yovani Gallardo, Sebastian Valle (Mexico)
- Edwin Diaz, Emilio Pagan (Puerto Rico)
- Tyler O’Neill (Canada)
- Pat Venditte, Sam Gaviglio (Italy)
- Drew Smyly (USA) — He’s in the designated pitchers pool, meaning he won’t be eligible unless the U.S. makes it out of pool play.