Seattle first baseman Josh Naylor missed Tuesday's lineup after experiencing back spasms that forced him out of Monday night's win over the New York Mets. Naylor delivered a crucial seventh-inning homer off reliever Brooks Raley before his back stiffened, prompting manager Dan Wilson to give him a rest day while keeping him available off the bench.

Wilson confirmed Naylor is feeling better Tuesday, though the team opted for caution with their key contributor. Patrick Wisdom started at first base for the second consecutive game, batting seventh. Naylor's current .254 average with six homers and 25 RBI represents a significant turnaround from his brutal start to the season.

After hitting just .102 through Seattle's first 15 games, Naylor caught fire in May with a .296 average over 108 at-bats. The 28-year-old, acquired from Arizona last July, signed a $92.5 million contract extension in November following a strong finish to 2025. His contributions have fueled Seattle's momentum.

Naylor's presence has helped the Mariners capture a season-best seven straight games and climb into first place in the AL West. While Wilson emphasized there's a long way to go in the season, keeping Naylor healthy serves as Seattle's top priority during their current surge.