Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor exited Thursday’s matchup versus the Chicago White Sox after grounding out to second base to end the third inning. The unexpected early departure occurred at Seattle’s home field, with Naylor showing signs of discomfort during his at-bat against right-hander Shane Smith.
The Canadian player from Mississauga, Ontario, appeared to wince while taking swings with two outs and no runners on base, which seemingly led to his removal from the contest. No official explanation on the nature of his injury has been provided by the Mariners organization.
Immediate Replacement and Recent Performance Highlights
Donovan Solano took over first base duties for the Mariners starting the top of the fourth inning. Naylor has been a strong contributor since joining Seattle on July 25th, following his trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the 12 games with the Mariners, he has tallied three home runs, six RBIs, and has led the league with 10 stolen bases in that short span.
Seattle has posted a 7-5 record since acquiring the 2023 All-Star and is currently narrowing the gap in the AL West, standing just two games behind the Houston Astros entering Thursday’s action.
Career Background and Impact on Mariners’ Standings
Josh Naylor began his professional career with the San Diego Padres before a mid-2020 trade moved him to the Cleveland Guardians. He later joined the Diamondbacks in the off-season prior to his trade to Seattle. Over 703 career games, Naylor has hit 98 home runs and driven in 408 RBIs.
His addition to the Mariners lineup has brought speed and power, contributing to the team’s competitive position in the division as they chase the Astros for first place.