Segura rattled by Cano news, busts out with bat

SEATTLE -- For Jean Segura, the call felt like a kick in the gut. Robinson Canó, a man he considers a brother, was letting him know that he was going to be suspended later Tuesday by Major League Baseball.
Cano is the friend that Segura turned to four years ago after his young son died. He's the buddy he trains with in the winters in the Dominican Republic. He's the player Segura looks up to and treasures as a teammate.
"He called and woke me up," Segura said. "It was sad. I couldn't even eat until about 4:30 [that afternoon]. Nothing could get through my stomach and I couldn't clear my head. I felt bad, felt sad, frustrated like everybody else in here. I can't explain how bad I feel. It's tough."
Segura took his frustration out on the Rangers on Tuesday night, going 3-for-5 with a walk, scoring three runs and tying a team record with four stolen bases. Manager Scott Servais said it might have been Segura's best game of the season.
"Jean was very disheartened getting the news yesterday," Servais said prior to Wednesday's series finale. "He and Robbie are so tight. He was a little frustrated, but he did the right thing and took it out on the field with him and really played well."
Cruz sidelined by bruised foot
Designated hitter Nelson Cruz will likely miss several games with a bruised right foot that was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning of Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Rangers.
"Nelly is sore. He got smoked pretty good," Servais said Wednesday. "We're actually really lucky. When he started limping off the field, Nelly is a big dude and when he's putting all his weight on you, I was thinking 'This is not going to end well.' Fortunate for us, nothing is broken. But he's going to be out a couple days."

The Mariners will try to operate a man down on their bench in Cruz's absence, with Mike Zunino at DH on Wednesday as David Freitas worked behind the plate. The only other option would be to put Cruz on the 10-day disabled list so another player could be added, but the injury doesn't appear that serious.
"At this point, no," Servais said of a DL stint. "Nelson has one of the highest pain thresholds of anybody I've been around. We'll see how it is later today and going forward tomorrow. He'll get some treatment and hopefully calm it down."
Goeddel designated for assignment
Though Erik Goeddel has pitched well, going 2-0 with a 1.23 in 7 1/3 innings in five appearances out of the bullpen since being brought up from Triple-A Tacoma on May 3, the right-hander was designated for assignment to make room for the addition of spot starter Christian Bergman.
Goeddel pitched the final two innings and got the win in Tuesday's 11-inning game. The former Met didn't allow any hits, while walking three with two strikeouts in a 46-pitch effort.
"Erik threw a lot of pitches last night and has really done a nice job for us since coming up," Servais said. "I like how he does it, with the high fastball and split, it's a little different than anybody else we have in our bullpen. But just the need as much as anything, he's going to be down a couple days and with the doubleheader and now spot starter and shuffling around our pitching staff, he was the odd man out."
The Mariners have seven days to trade, release or outright Goeddel to the Minors. If he clears waivers, he no doubt will be outrighted to Tacoma.
Gordon transition continues
Center fielder Dee Gordon took grounders at second base again prior to Wednesday's game and will continue pregame infield work before likely being moved to that spot permanently sometime during the Tigers' series this weekend.
With Cano out until mid-August, the Mariners are moving the former National League Gold Glove winner back to the position he played with the Marlins to fill the void.
"Dee told me yesterday he's good to go," Servais said. "But he needs a couple days. I want him to get some live [grounders] off the bat tomorrow in BP and see the speed of the ball. Probably this weekend at some point we'll slide him in."
Servais said when Gordon does move to second, Guillermo Heredia will get the majority of playing time in center field.