Mariners 1B Josh Naylor returns to team, back in lineup for Game 3 at Tigers

Seattle first baseman Josh Naylor, who did not travel with the Mariners to Detroit due to what the team called personal reasons, is batting fifth and playing first base against the host Tigers in Game 3 of their American League Division Series.

Naylor and his wife, Chantel Collado, have been anticipating the birth of their first child. The original due date was Saturday, the same day as Game 1 of the ALDS, according to the Seattle Times.

"Josh is here. He's in the lineup," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. "We're excited to have him back in the lineup and excited to get started here today with Game 3."

Wilson had deferred on Monday to Naylor, who was not with the squad for their workout that day at Comerica Park. Wilson did not give a reason for the absence beyond "due to personal reasons." Naylor was not immediately available to media on Tuesday, per protocol before postseason games.

The series is tied 1-1. Naylor appeared in Games 1 and 2 in Seattle, going 0-for-8 with a walk across both contests. He batted No. 4 on Saturday and No. 6 on Sunday.

Although Naylor, 28, has struggled so far against the Tigers, he's been a very effective player this season. The Canadian batted .295 with 20 homers and 92 RBIs in 2025, including nine dingers and 33 RBIs since coming over to Seattle from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a July trade.

An All-Star in 2024 with the Cleveland Guardians, Naylor is a career .269 hitter with 104 home runs and 435 RBIs in 745 regular-season games for the San Diego Padres (2019-20), Cleveland (2020-24), Diamondbacks and Mariners.

The Miami Marlins selected Naylor 12th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft.

--Field Level Media