Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor leaves game vs. White Sox due to sore shoulder

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor left Thursday’s game against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning due to shoulder soreness, manager Dan Wilson said.

In his first at-bat against White Sox starter Shane Smith, Naylor grimaced after swinging at a high, inside fastball. He walked down the first base line and back before finishing his at-bat, which ended with a strikeout. He left the game after grounding out to second base to end the third.

Seattle beat Chicago 4-3 in 11 innings for a three-game series sweep.

Naylor, one of Seattle’s notable trade deadline acquisitions from the Arizona Diamondbacks, is hitting .289, with 14 home runs, 65 RBIs and 21 stolen bases this season. Since joining the Mariners, the left-hander is batting .261 with three home runs and 10 stolen bases.

While with the Diamondbacks, the left-handed hitter was pulled from a June 23 game – also against the White Sox – in the fourth inning due to right shoulder discomfort. Naylor avoided a stint on the injured list and returned to the lineup two days later.

Donovan Solano, who hadn’t played in two weeks, took over at first base for Seattle when Naylor exited.

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