The Seattle Mariners have made a significant roster move, placing star catcher Cal Raleigh on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, marking the first time in his major league career that he has been sidelined on the IL.
The injury occurred during Wednesday night’s narrow 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros, when Raleigh appeared to be dealing with discomfort late in the game. The issue became more noticeable in the eighth inning when he made an errant throw that could have potentially turned a double play and ended the inning. By the end of the game, he was visibly favoring his side and exited during the bottom of the ninth.
Following the game, Mariners manager Dan Wilson confirmed that the decision to place Raleigh on the injured list was largely precautionary. The team waited for further evaluation on Thursday morning before officially making the roster move. Seattle then recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma to fill the vacant roster spot.
Raleigh’s absence adds another layer of concern to what has already been a frustrating season for both the player and the team. Just one year ago, Raleigh was in the midst of a historic campaign, finishing as the American League MVP runner-up after posting a dominant .247/.359/.589 slash line with 60 home runs. That breakout established him as one of the most dangerous power-hitting catchers in baseball.
However, the 2026 season has been a sharp contrast. Through the early portion of the year, Raleigh has struggled significantly at the plate, carrying a .161 batting average with a .243 on-base percentage and .317 slugging percentage, along with seven home runs. His drop in production has mirrored Seattle’s uneven start, as the team currently sits at 21-23 and has struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm.
Raleigh had already missed several games earlier in the season due to right-side discomfort, and the latest diagnosis confirms the specific nature of the injury. While the initial timeline suggests a minimum 10-day stay on the injured list, oblique strains are often tricky injuries for hitters, and recovery periods can extend longer depending on severity and response to treatment. The Mariners are expected to conduct further evaluations once the team returns to Seattle.
Despite his struggles this year, Raleigh has built a reputation as one of the most durable catchers in the league. Over the past three seasons, he has consistently appeared in more than 140 games per year, a rare workload for a demanding defensive position. That level of usage has raised questions about potential fatigue, especially given his heavy offensive and defensive responsibilities.
With Raleigh sidelined, Seattle will turn to a combination of Pereda and veteran Mitch Garver behind the plate. Pereda, who was recently called up, has shown limited but encouraging production in brief MLB action this season, collecting two hits and a run in five plate appearances. For his career, he owns a .248 batting average in the majors but is still searching for his first home run.
Garver, meanwhile, continues to serve in a depth role after rejoining the Mariners on a one-year deal in the offseason. He has primarily been used against left-handed pitching but has struggled offensively, hitting just .167 with no home runs so far this year.
As the Mariners try to stay afloat in a tightly contested American League West, Raleigh’s absence creates a major void both offensively and defensively. Even amid his slump, his leadership, power potential, and game-calling ability remain critical to Seattle’s success, making his return a key priority moving forward.
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