Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor did not make the trip with the team to Detroit ahead of Game 3 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) on Tuesday, manager Dan Wilson confirmed to reporters on Monday. The Mariners, who split the first two games of the series at home, are preparing for a crucial matchup against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park with questions surrounding one of their most important players.
According to The Seattle Times, Naylor and his wife have been awaiting the arrival of their first child, whose due date was this past Saturday. While the team has not given an exact timeline for his return, it is widely believed that Naylor’s absence is related to the birth.
Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reported Monday that it remains unclear whether Naylor will be available for Game 3 or Game 4 in Detroit. When addressing Naylor’s situation, Wilson described it as “a personal matter,” and noted that more information would be shared once available.
“It’s kind of a personal day for him, so he’ll be back, and we’re looking forward to it,” Wilson told reporters, emphasizing that the team fully supports Naylor during this time.
With the expectation that Naylor could be placed on paternity leave during the series, the Mariners made a proactive roster move by including rookie third baseman Ben Williamson on their 26-man ALDS roster. To provide additional infield flexibility, veteran third baseman Eugenio Suárez has also been taking reps at first base — a position he’s played only sparingly throughout his career.
Naylor, 28, has been a fan favorite and a key part of the Mariners’ lineup since being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks before the 2024 MLB trade deadline. In just 54 regular-season games with Seattle, he posted an impressive .299 batting average with nine home runs and a perfect 19-for-19 stolen base record, quickly becoming one of the team’s most consistent offensive threats.
Despite his regular-season success, Naylor has struggled at the plate early in the postseason, going 0-for-8 with one walk through the first two games of the ALDS. Still, his experience — which now spans 21 postseason games across four playoff runs — remains invaluable to Seattle’s clubhouse.
Looking beyond this series, Naylor’s future in Seattle is also a storyline to watch. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, and while the Mariners have expressed interest in re-signing him, his market value could rise significantly after his strong second-half performance.
The Mariners evened the series on Sunday with a 3-2 victory over the Tigers, setting up an important stretch of games in Detroit. If the teams split the next two contests, the ALDS will shift back to T-Mobile Park in Seattle for a decisive Game 5 on Friday.
Game 3 is scheduled to begin at 1:08 p.m. PT on Tuesday, with Seattle Sports Radio providing full coverage beginning with an extended pregame show at 11 a.m. PT.
Naylor’s potential return — whether for Game 3, Game 4, or back home for Game 5 — could play a significant role in determining whether Seattle continues its postseason run.
