Haniger will start in right field and bat leadoff Thursday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Making his first appearance in a regular-season game since June 6, 2019, Haniger heads into Opening Day healthy after spending the past season and a half in recovery from a sports hernia surgery and a microdiscectomy. The latter procedure in particular warrants some justifiable concern about Haniger's durability over a 162-game schedule, but while he's available, he's expected to serve as Seattle's full-time leadoff hitter. The 30-year-old showed little rust during the Cactus League slate, posting an .818 OPS over 47 at-bats.