DETROIT — With the tarp covering the field and still accumulating water at Comerica Park and the forecast of rain still lingering in the area, Major League Baseball decided to delay the start of Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
The announcement came roughly 45 minutes before the scheduled first pitch of 1:08 p.m. PT.
At 6:09 p.m. ET, an announcement was made that the game was rescheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Shortly before the announcement, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch appeared from the Tigers clubhouse and walked across the field with a few officials to meet with Dan Wilson and the head of the grounds crew.
For folks planning to watch Game 3, whenever it does start, there will be a mid-game adjustment in the television broadcast. Per reports, the Mariners-Tigers game will start on FS1 as scheduled. But once the game between the Yankees and Blue Jays starts, at 7 p.m. ET, the game in Detroit will be moved to FS2. Fans can also watch the game on the Fox Sports App and the Fox One app. Fan will also be able to watch the game on MLB Network.
Naylor returns
After a day away, Josh Naylor is back with the Mariners and back in the lineup for Game 3 this afternoon.
Naylor and his wife have been expecting their first child, which was due Saturday. Naylor told The Times last week he planned to fly to Arizona to be with his wife during labor.
Naylor was away from the team during Monday’s off-day, but he’s rejoined the team here in Detroit for Game 3.
During a pregame interview Tuesday afternoon, Mariners manager Dan Wilson declined to offer specifics on Naylor’s situation. MLB does not open the clubhouse for pregame media access during the postseason, so Naylor won’t be able for comment until after Tuesday’s game.
“I would just say I’m sure Josh would be happy to talk about whatever, so I would just point you in that direction at this moment,” Wilson said. “But,we’re excited to have him back. We’re excited he’s here with us and excited to have him back in the lineup.”
Naylor is batting fifth and playing first base for Game 3.
In the first two games of the series in Seattle, Naylor went 0 for 8 with one walk and one strikeout. He also committed an eighth-inning error Sunday that led to one unearned run.
The Mariners’ Game 3 vs. Detroit right-hander Jack Flaherty:
Randy Arozarena, LF
Cal Raleigh, C
Julio Rodríguez, CF
Jorge Polanco, 2B
Josh Naylor, 1B
Eugenio Suárez, 3B
Dominic Canzone, DH
Victor Robles, RF
J.P. Crawford, SS
…
Logan Gilbert, SP