Mariners Prepare for Josh Naylor Paternity Absence

Seattle first baseman Josh Naylor could miss part of the ALDS because his wife is due to give birth any day; the club can place him on the paternity list and he would fly to Arizona if labor begins. Manager Dan Wilson called it "obviously a possibility," and the Mariners added infielder Ben Williamson for depth, planning to shift Eugenio Suárez to first and Williamson to third. Other bench options include Miles Mastrobuoni, Cole Young and Luke Raley. Naylor, a key trade-deadline acquisition from Arizona, has hit .299 with Seattle and provided both power and speed since arriving. The club is also managing injuries—starter Bryan Woo is out with pectoral inflammation—and has penciled Logan Gilbert to start Game 3 in Detroit after using George Kirby and Luis Castillo earlier in the series. Having clinched the AL West and earned a first-round bye, the Mariners say they will adapt as needed should Naylor need to leave for family reasons.