SEATTLE -- Josh Naylor was out of the Mariners’ lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday as he continues to nurse a sore right wrist. But the Mariners were optimistic that the first baseman could return as soon as Thursday’s matinee.
Luke Raley, too, was also out for the second straight day, recovering from lower-back soreness.
“Just one more day likely for [Naylor], and we’ll see how [Raley] is tomorrow,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “But again, it’s part of the deal, part of the job. But I think we're getting much closer.”
Moreover, the banged-up Mariners made another roster move before the second game of this series vs. the Orioles by recalling infielder/outfielder Connor Joe from Triple-A Tacoma. He’s expected to be the longer-term fill-in for Randy Arozarena after the All-Star candidate was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Joe was in the lineup playing left field and batting eighth, while Miles Mastrobuoni took Naylor’s spot at first base for the second straight game, batting ninth.
The Mariners didn’t learn of the severity of Arozarena's situation until about two hours before first pitch on Tuesday, after he underwent an MRI that revealed more inflammation than anticipated. And with Tacoma playing at Salt Lake, the only realistic avenue for a reinforcement was a player within driving distance -- which led to Curtis Washington Jr. being selected from High-A Everett. Washington was then optioned back to Everett on Tuesday.
Arozarena is not expected to be out longer than the allotted minimum, which with the June 13 backdate, would be next Tuesday.
Joe, 33, has appeared in 18 games for the Mariners this year, going 6-for-33 (.182) with two doubles, one homer and three RBIs. He’s been at Tacoma since May 22 and has hit .242/.304/.385 (.689 OPS) there for the season.