Ichiro Suzuki was a huge influence on Giants’ Nori Aoki

Recommended Video:

Growing up in Japan, Nori Aoki used to imitate Ichiro Suzuki.

“We all copied him when we were younger. He had a different leg kick than he has now. It was like a metronome,” said Aoki, recalling how Ichiro swung his front leg backward and forward on his swing. “Even though he was a skinny guy, he could hit the ball far. That was very surprising.”

Ichiro will make his regular-season China Basin debut if he plays Thursday when his Marlins open a four-game series against the Giants. His only appearance at the park was at the 2007 All-Star Game; he hit an inside-the-park homer and was named MVP.

Like Ichiro, Aoki is a lefty-hitting outfielder. Aoki said his countryman was a big influence in his career, paving the way for position players to leave Japan for the big leagues.

“When I was a kid, he was 20 years old when he came up in Japan, and I followed him then,” said Aoki, referring to the 1994 season when Ichiro emerged as a star with the Orix Blue Waves. “Even now, as a 41-year-old, he’s playing well.

“I’m not surprised at all. He’s extremely strict on himself, one of the best at taking care of his body.”

Morse’s ring: The Giants will give Michael Morse, who signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Marlins, his World Series ring on the field shortly before Thursday’s game.

“It’ll be nice to see his look when he gets his ring,” manager Bruce Bochy said.

Morse got off to a fast start last season, but his biggest moment was his Game 5-tying pinch home run against St. Louis in the NLCS, setting up Travis Ishikawa’s pennant-winning homer. In Game 7 of the World Series, Morse drove in two runs, including the deciding one.

“Pretty big at-bats he gave us,” Bochy said. “I’ve got some great memories. He was a lot of fun, a great teammate.”

The Giants plan to give Pablo Sandoval his ring at Boston’s team hotel after the Red Sox fly to the Bay Area on Sunday night. The Red Sox play in Oakland on Monday.

Briefly: Hunter Pence will take batting practice Thursday, and a decision regarding his rehab assignment could come shortly thereafter. ... Jake Peavy also could begin a rehab assignment after his bullpen session Friday. ... Angel Pagan was back in the lineup after missing a game with a cut on his left middle finger.

John Shea is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.

On deck

Thursday

vs. Marlins

7:15 p.m. CSNBA

Haren (3-1) vs. Hudson (1-2)

Friday

vs. Marlins

7:15 p.m. CSNBA

Cosart (1-2) vs. Lincecum (2-2)

Saturday

vs. Marlins

6:05 p.m. Channel: 11

Phelps (1-0) vs. Bumgarner (3-1)

Leading off

Sweet serenade: With Willie Mays watching on TV, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to him in the fifth inning. The Say Hey Kid turned 84.

— John Shea