Josh Naylor out of lineup for Mariners’ game vs Angels

Editor’s note: This story was updated with information that Josh Naylor was held out of the Mariners’ lineup Friday due to shoulder soreness. 

The Seattle Mariners will look to keep their winning streak going Friday night without standout first baseman Josh Naylor in the lineup.

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Naylor was the notable absence from Seattle’s starting group for the second game of its series with the Los Angeles Angels against left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.

Luke Raley is getting the start first base and batting eighth in place of Naylor.

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Manager Dan Wilson told reporters pregame that Naylor is getting a day off due to shoulder soreness.

Naylor showed some discomfort at the plate while taking swings during an at-bat in the seventh inning during the Mariners’ 7-6 win in 12 innings over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night, but he remained in the game.

The first baseman has twice left games and missed brief amounts of time with shoulder discomfort this season. The issue first cropped up during late June while playing for the Diamondbacks, which resulted in Naylor missing five of Arizona’s next seven games. He also left an Aug. 7 game with the Mariners with shoulder discomfort and was held out of the lineup the following day.

You can watch Friday’s Mariners game on Apple TV+ with local radio call

Raley is getting consecutive starts for the first time since coming back from a stint on the injured list with back spasms in mid-August. He’s just 4 for 26 at the plate since returning.

Additionally, the Mariners are giving catcher Cal Raleigh a day off from his duties behind the plate after he caught 25 innings over the past two games. Raleigh is hitting second as the designated hitter, while Mitch Garver is starting at catcher and batting sixth.

The Mariners, who have won six straight to surge into a tie for first place in the American League West, continue their four-game series with the Angels at 7:10 p.m. Friday. Radio coverage begins at 6 p.m. on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app.

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