Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor gave followers motive to breathe somewhat simpler Friday, someday after exiting the collection finale in opposition to the Chicago White Sox with left shoulder soreness. “I’m effective,” Naylor stated earlier than Friday’s sport in opposition to the Tampa Bay Rays. “I’m not anxious about it.”
Supervisor Dan Wilson echoed that optimism, labeling Naylor as “each day” and noting the choice to maintain him out of the beginning lineup was extra about warning than concern. “It’s simply an opportunity for him at the moment to get somewhat relaxation and we’ll reassess once more after the sport,” Wilson stated. “I believe he appears to be in a fairly great place. It’s simply an opportunity to catch his breath.”
Naylor grimaced noticeably after fouling off a pitch in his first plate look Thursday, then regarded uncomfortable on a groundout within the third inning. After a dialogue with the coaching workers, he was changed by veteran Donovan Solano, who began at first base Friday.
Josh Naylor appears to be like to return to Mariners lineup quickly
The shoulder concern is the second Naylor has handled this season, although the situation is totally different. Again on June 23 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, he tweaked his proper shoulder in a sport — additionally in opposition to the White Sox — and missed a handful of video games earlier than returning in early July. This time, it’s the left shoulder, however each Naylor and the Mariners imagine it’s a short-term setback.
Since arriving in Seattle in a July 24 commerce from Arizona, Naylor has shortly change into a key piece of the Mariners’ postseason push. In 13 video games, he’s batting .261 with a .798 OPS, three residence runs, six RBIs, and an ideal 10-for-10 on stolen base makes an attempt. His mixture of energy and shocking velocity has energized the lineup, and Seattle is simply 1.5 video games again of Houston within the AL West getting into the weekend.
Naylor’s status for toughness precedes him. Earlier this yr, he stayed in a sport after taking a fastball off the hand, later telling reporters, “So long as I can transfer it, we’re good.” Wilson acknowledged that aggressive edge however made it clear the group received’t rush him again if it dangers aggravating the damage.
“He desires to play daily,” Wilson stated. “However we’ll make sure that we do what’s greatest for him and for the group in the long term.”
The Mariners have the depth to climate a brief absence. Solano is succesful at first base, and Eugenio Suárez has been swinging a scorching bat. Outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley additionally started a rehab task with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday and will rejoin the membership quickly.
Seattle’s plan seems to be sitting Naylor by at the very least the Rays collection, with an eye fixed on having him prepared for the August 12 opener in opposition to the Detroit Tigers. Given the stakes within the AL West race, holding him wholesome for the stretch run is the precedence. For now, the message from Naylor and the Mariners is evident: the shoulder’s not a serious concern, and the group expects their massive commerce acquisition again in motion quickly.