Diamondbacks Make Josh Naylor Move Amid Injury News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Valdez | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 5:03 PM ET

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman/designated hitter Josh Naylor's first season with his new club was going well before Thursday's matchup with the Atlanta Braves. The 27-year-old was slashing .287/.344/.448 with seven homers and 37 RBI heading into the game, although he was hitless in his previous three contests.

Naylor got back on track on Thursday when he hit a two-run single to left in the top of the fourth, plating second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to cut the deficit to 6-3. However, the former Cleveland Guardian was subbed out for pinch-hitter Ildemaro Vargas in the sixth.

The Diamondbacks made this move amid some injury news that he had been dealing with both shoulder and hand issues. Naylor was fighting through these nagging injuries coming into the game, via The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro.

"Josh Naylor exited the game for a pinch hitter. Manager Torey Lovullo said yesterday that Naylor had been playing through both shoulder and hand issues," he reported.

After Naylor's removal, Arizona mounted a massive comeback to defeat Atlanta 11-10.

Josh Naylor exited the game for a pinch hitter. Manager Torey Lovullo said yesterday that Naylor had been playing through both shoulder and hand issues.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) June 5, 2025

The Miami Marlins took Naylor No. 12 overall in the 2015 MLB Draft before dealing him to the San Diego Padres at the 2016 trade deadline. The 5-foot-10-inch, 235-pounder made his big-league debut in 2019.

The Padres then traded Naylor to the Guardians in August 2020, and he made his playoff debut that season, going 5-for-7 with one homer and three RBI. He played a total of 19 postseason contests with Cleveland through 2024, slashing .256/.272/.410 with two homers and 11 RBI. He also made one All-Star team in Cleveland.

The Guardians traded Naylor to the Diamondbacks this past December, and he led the latter team with 66 hits entering Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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