Josh Naylor returns to lineup Wednesday against Giants

The Arizona Diamondbacks will receive a much-needed boost as first baseman and designated hitter Josh Naylor is back in the lineup Wednesday night against the San Francisco Giants.

He’ll bat cleanup against San Francisco.

Diamondbacks assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Wednesday that he was anticipating Naylor to return to the lineup after missing the team’s last four games.

“We are hoping he will be back in the lineup tonight,” Fitzgerald said on Wednesday morning. “He was actually planned on being in the lineup yesterday. I think as Torey [Lovullo] was saying, the last part of the swing, there was a little stiffness or discomfort, so we thought it was best to give him one more day. Hopefully, the 24 hours that he’s had since that stretch will put him in a good spot tonight, but we’re anticipating him to be back in our lineup tonight.”

Naylor last played on Friday against the Marlins but exited the game due to neck stiffness. He also missed a game last week against the White Sox due to right shoulder discomfort.

It sounds like Josh Naylor will be in the Arizona Diamondbacks' lineup tonight against the Giants.

D-backs assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald gave that update to @WolfandLuke on the Front Office Focus, presented by Canvas. pic.twitter.com/GzfjFmwEkV

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) July 2, 2025

Naylor’s return is a welcome one for the D-backs, who have gone 2-4 in their last six games.

After being swept by the Marlins at home, the Diamondbacks have put together two solid wins against the Giants, most recently hitting four home runs in Tuesday night’s 8-2 win.

Naylor was in excellent form prior to his injury, riding a 13-game hit streak heading into his last appearance against the Marlins on Friday, when he went hitless.

Among Diamondbacks with 10 or more at-bats, Naylor currently has the highest batting average on the team, hitting .304 with 10 home runs, 53 RBIs and an OPS of .834.

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