Mariners Injuries: Good news on Naylor, Raley, Miller and Robles

The Seattle Mariners’ lineup post for Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays carried some reason for concern, but what came after it was good news.

Seattle Mariners Lineup: No Josh Naylor a day after exiting game early

Manager Dan Wilson told reporters pregame that first baseman Josh Naylor, who wasn’t in the lineup, was feeling better after leaving Thursday’s series finale against the White Sox with shoulder soreness and could be available to pinch-hit. Seattle Sports Mariners insider Shannon Drayer also reported that outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley is beginning his rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday night.

Additionally, Drayer reported that right-hander Bryce Miller said he felt great after making his second rehab start with Tacoma on Thursday night, and injured outfielder Victor Robles went through a full workout and said it went well.

Josh Naylor is doing much better and could be available to pinch hit tonight.

Bryce Miller said everything felt great in his 2nd rehab start and the elbow hasn’t been an issue.

Victor Robles had a full workout today which included sliding and diving and says it all went well.

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) August 8, 2025

Naylor was pulled from Thursday’s game after a third-inning at-bat in which Naylor showed some discomfort while taking swings. It’s the second time this year Naylor has dealt with shoulder issues. While playing for Arizona, he left a June 23 game (also against the White Sox) with shoulder discomfort. He avoided a stint on the injured list but missed five of the Diamondbacks’ next seven games.

The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish reported on social media Friday that Naylor said he would be fine and wasn’t concerned with the shoulder issue.

In 13 games with the Mariners since being acquired before the trade deadline, Naylor is hitting .261 with a .798 OPS, three home runs and 10 stolen bases.

Veteran Donovan Solano was set to start in place of Naylor at first base on Friday night.

Raley was placed on the IL July 30 (retroactive to July 27) with back spasms. It’s the second time he’s been on the IL this season, as he also missed nearly two months with a right oblique strain.

General manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Raley would need at least two or three games in the minors before returning to the big league roster.

With injuries impacting his season, Raley hasn’t been able to replicate his performance from a season ago when he was one of the Mariners’ top hitters. After batting .243 with a .783 OPS and 22 home runs over 137 games in 2024, he is hitting just .220 with a .691 OPS and four homers in 49 games this season.

Miller last pitched in the majors June 6 and is working his way back from a second stint on the IL this season with right elbow inflammation. The right-hander pitched 3 2/3 innings and threw 66 pitches in his rehab outing Thursday.

Hollander said Tuesday that Miller would likely need a third start in the minors before returning to the Mariners.

In 10 starts, Miller is 2-5 with a 5.73 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 48 2/3 innings this season. Last season he led qualified Mariners starters with 2.94 ERA over a career-high 180 1/3 innings. His 3.4 WAR was also tops in the rotation.

Robles, who has been out since early April after suffering a fractured humeral head and dislocated shoulder, is set to begin a rehab assignment Aug. 12. The club expects Robles will need at least 40 to 50 at-bats before major league activation due to the length of absence.

Robles enjoyed a breakout campaign after arriving in Seattle in early June last year, batting .328 with an .860 OPS, 20 doubles, four home runs and 30 stolen bases in 77 games with the M’s.

The Mariners open a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at 6:40 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. with the pregame show on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Jon Morosi sees a clear turning point in Seattle Mariners’ season
• Canzone comes up clutch as Mariners walk off White Sox
• Bryce Miller’s second rehab start not as smooth as his first
• Where Seattle Mariners’ playoff odds stand after sweep of White Sox
• M’s broadcaster Jay Buhner raves about new 1B Josh Naylor

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