The Seattle Mariners have placed star catcher Cal Raleigh on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain, marking the first IL stint of his six-year major league career. The 29-year-old, who finished as the AL MVP runner-up last season, has been struggling at the plate recently, enduring the longest hitless streak in the majors this year before snapping out of it on Tuesday night with two singles in a dominant 10-2 win over the Houston Astros.
However, the good news was short-lived. During Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Astros, Raleigh left the game in the eighth inning after appearing to re-aggravate an injury to his right side. He had already missed three games earlier this month (May 2-4) due to soreness in the same area. Manager Dan Wilson acknowledged the tough decision, saying, "Nobody wants to go on the IL, and especially not Cal. But I think at this point it's the smart thing to do."
Through 41 games this season, Raleigh is batting just .161 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs, four doubles, 18 walks, and 16 runs scored. His batting average is the second-lowest in the majors among qualified hitters, trailing only Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins (.150). It's been a tough start for a player who was a key offensive force last season.
To fill Raleigh's spot on the active roster, the Mariners have recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma. The 30-year-old has appeared in two games with Seattle this season, hitting an impressive .400 with a run scored. He'll look to provide a spark behind the plate while Raleigh recovers.
In a separate move, the Mariners also sent left-handed pitcher José Suarez to the Athletics for cash considerations. Suarez has appeared in nine games between Seattle and the Atlanta Braves this season, posting an 0-1 record with a 6.38 ERA.
For Mariners fans, this injury is a reminder of the physical toll baseball takes on its players—especially catchers. While Raleigh's bat has been cold, his leadership and defensive skills are irreplaceable. As the team navigates this setback, all eyes will be on Pereda to step up and on Raleigh to heal quickly. Stay tuned for updates, and in the meantime, show your support with some fresh Mariners gear from our collection!