Josh Naylor might go on paternity list during ALDS

SEATTLE — When Josh Naylor was acquired by the Mariners ahead of the Trade Deadline, he knew there was a possibility that heâ€d be away from the team for a brief blip should the club reach the postseason, with he and his wife expecting the birth of their first child in early October.

And now with that exciting moment nearly here, the Mariners are bracing for the possibility that the slugging first baseman will be on the paternity list at some point during the American League Division Series against the Tigers.

MLBâ€s paternity leave policy is the same in the postseason as the regular season, allowing a player to miss up to three days — and his club can replace him on its roster during the absence.

“I mean, it’s obviously a possibility, and, you know, it’s something to think about for sure,†manager Dan Wilson said ahead of Game 1. “And, you know, you have to sort of weigh as much of this as you can, all the unexpecteds.â€

As such, the Mariners were working out Eugenio Suárez at first base during Fridayâ€s workout with Mariners infield coach Perry Hill — and theyâ€ve included rookie third baseman Ben Williamson on their roster as well for extra infield insurance should they need Suárez at first. Luke Raley is also an option there, albeit preferably only against righties.

Williamson played in 85 games this season after making his MLB debut in early April, then he was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma — where he finished the season — after Suárez was acquired from the D-backs to play third base. Yet even at the time of his departure, there was the looming, longer-term possibility that the Mariners would bring him back come October should they advance because of his elite glove at the hot corner.

“Keeping Benny Williamson, a guy that was with us most of the season, played a great third base all year long, and provides a little bit more right-handed hitting for us, keeps us a little bit more balanced on the bench,†Wilson said. “Those are the things that weighed most heavy.â€

As for Naylor, who will be a free agent this offseason, heâ€s been everything the Mariners hoped for, with a slash line of .299/.341/.490 (.831 OPS) to go with nine homers, 10 doubles, 33 RBIs and 19 stolen bases over 54 games since the trade.

“Playing through some of the stuff that heâ€s had to play through shows you that intensity, that toughness, and you love to see that,†Wilson said prior to the Mariners†intrasquad scrimmage Thursday. “I know heâ€s got a lot on his plate with his wife back home, ready for what sheâ€s going to go through. Heâ€s a tough cookie. Thatâ€s what shows through to me: how strong he is mentally. Heâ€s brought that to our guys, heâ€s brought that to our clubhouse and thatâ€s been huge.â€

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