Blab Sports
Cal Raleigh Set to Return to Mariners Lineup After Month-Long Oblique Injury
The Seattle Mariners will add back their 2025 American League MVP runner‑up catcher Cal Raleigh to the starting lineup on Tuesday, according to a report from the Seattle Times Sports. Raleigh, who has been on the 10‑day injured list since May 14, will be activated for the game against the Baltimore Orioles at T‑Mobile Park.
Raleigh’s injury was a right oblique strain that first surfaced in early May and worsened during a game against the Houston Astros on May 13. He was placed on the injured list after the Mariners won 8‑3, ending his season‑long run of 2‑for‑15 with 10 strikeouts. The Mariners’ roster move was confirmed by MLB’s official injury report on May 14.
The catcher’s absence has been felt in Seattle’s lineup. In his place, the Mariners have relied on Jhonny Pereda and Mitch Garver, both of whom have been used as backup catchers. Neither has matched Raleigh’s offensive production or defensive skill set. In 2025, Raleigh finished second in the American League MVP voting, hit 60 home runs, and set a record for the most home runs by a catcher and a switch hitter in a single season.
Raleigh’s 2026 season has been a struggle. He has batted .161 with seven home runs and 18 RBI in 38 games before the injury. He also endured a 0‑for‑38 hitless streak that ended on May 12, when he recorded a single against the New York Yankees. The streak was the longest in the majors that season.
Seattle entered Monday’s game in first place in the American League West, with a 42‑21 record. The Mariners’ offense has been hampered by the loss of their power hitter, and the team’s manager has said that the return of Raleigh will help stabilize the lineup.
Raleigh’s return comes at a time when the Mariners are preparing for a six‑game stretch that includes games against the Orioles, the Detroit Tigers, and the Kansas City Royals. The team’s front office has not announced any roster moves beyond the activation of Raleigh.
The Mariners’ 2026 season is the franchise’s 50th in history and its 27th full season in the American League. The team has finished with a losing record in 30 of 49 seasons as of 2025 and has never appeared in a World Series.
Raleigh’s injury was first reported by the Associated Press on May 15, which noted that the catcher had been playing through discomfort before the oblique strain was confirmed. The injury was described as a “right oblique strain” in the official MLB injury report.
The catcher’s return is expected to have a positive impact on Seattle’s offensive output. In 2025, Raleigh led the league in home runs by a catcher and was named the Sporting News MLB Player of the Year. His 2026 performance has been limited, but the Mariners’ coaching staff has expressed confidence that he will be ready for the next game.
The Mariners’ manager, who has not yet issued a statement, is expected to discuss the lineup changes in the pre‑game press conference. The team’s front office has confirmed that Raleigh will be in the starting lineup for the Orioles game.
The Mariners’ offensive struggles have been a focus of the season, and the return of a player who has previously been a key contributor is a welcome development. The team’s offensive coordinator has said that the catcher’s presence will help the lineup’s balance.
The Mariners will face the Orioles on Tuesday night, followed by a series against the Tigers and Royals. The team’s performance in the coming weeks will be closely watched by analysts and fans alike, as the Mariners look to maintain their position at the top of the AL West.
In summary, Cal Raleigh will return to the Mariners lineup on Tuesday after a month on the injured list. The catcher’s activation comes as the team seeks to strengthen its offense and maintain its lead in the AL West. The Mariners’ next games against the Orioles, Tigers, and Royals will test the impact of Raleigh’s return on the team’s performance.
Raleigh’s injury was a right oblique strain that first surfaced in early May and worsened during a game against the Houston Astros on May 13. He was placed on the injured list after the Mariners won 8‑3, ending his season‑long run of 2‑for‑15 with 10 strikeouts. The Mariners’ roster move was confirmed by MLB’s official injury report on May 14.
The catcher’s absence has been felt in Seattle’s lineup. In his place, the Mariners have relied on Jhonny Pereda and Mitch Garver, both of whom have been used as backup catchers. Neither has matched Raleigh’s offensive production or defensive skill set. In 2025, Raleigh finished second in the American League MVP voting, hit 60 home runs, and set a record for the most home runs by a catcher and a switch hitter in a single season.
Raleigh’s 2026 season has been a struggle. He has batted .161 with seven home runs and 18 RBI in 38 games before the injury. He also endured a 0‑for‑38 hitless streak that ended on May 12, when he recorded a single against the New York Yankees. The streak was the longest in the majors that season.
Seattle entered Monday’s game in first place in the American League West, with a 42‑21 record. The Mariners’ offense has been hampered by the loss of their power hitter, and the team’s manager has said that the return of Raleigh will help stabilize the lineup.
Raleigh’s return comes at a time when the Mariners are preparing for a six‑game stretch that includes games against the Orioles, the Detroit Tigers, and the Kansas City Royals. The team’s front office has not announced any roster moves beyond the activation of Raleigh.
The Mariners’ 2026 season is the franchise’s 50th in history and its 27th full season in the American League. The team has finished with a losing record in 30 of 49 seasons as of 2025 and has never appeared in a World Series.
Raleigh’s injury was first reported by the Associated Press on May 15, which noted that the catcher had been playing through discomfort before the oblique strain was confirmed. The injury was described as a “right oblique strain” in the official MLB injury report.
The catcher’s return is expected to have a positive impact on Seattle’s offensive output. In 2025, Raleigh led the league in home runs by a catcher and was named the Sporting News MLB Player of the Year. His 2026 performance has been limited, but the Mariners’ coaching staff has expressed confidence that he will be ready for the next game.
The Mariners’ manager, who has not yet issued a statement, is expected to discuss the lineup changes in the pre‑game press conference. The team’s front office has confirmed that Raleigh will be in the starting lineup for the Orioles game.
The Mariners’ offensive struggles have been a focus of the season, and the return of a player who has previously been a key contributor is a welcome development. The team’s offensive coordinator has said that the catcher’s presence will help the lineup’s balance.
The Mariners will face the Orioles on Tuesday night, followed by a series against the Tigers and Royals. The team’s performance in the coming weeks will be closely watched by analysts and fans alike, as the Mariners look to maintain their position at the top of the AL West.
In summary, Cal Raleigh will return to the Mariners lineup on Tuesday after a month on the injured list. The catcher’s activation comes as the team seeks to strengthen its offense and maintain its lead in the AL West. The Mariners’ next games against the Orioles, Tigers, and Royals will test the impact of Raleigh’s return on the team’s performance.
