Cal Raleigh's injury recovery keeps Mariners hopeful in AL West race
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is recovering from a right oblique strain, his first trip to the injured list in six major league seasons. The team remains in a strong position, holding a 1.5-game lead in the AL West as of Sunday. Raleigh began his rehab process by taking his first swings off a tee on Friday at the Mariners’ spring training complex in Arizona. He also caught a bullpen session as part of his recovery programme.
The 27-year-old is expected to start a rehab assignment within days. By the middle of the upcoming week, he hopes to have a clearer timeline, which may include playing in rehab games. Once active, he plans to be based in Seattle while continuing his recovery. Before the injury, Raleigh struggled at the plate. Over 41 games this season, he batted .161 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs, and four doubles. His longest slump came between 28 April and 12 May, when he went 0 for 38—the worst hitless streak in the majors this year.
Raleigh’s return timeline will become clearer in the coming days. His progress in rehab will determine when he rejoins the Mariners, who currently lead their division. The team will monitor his recovery as they maintain their push in the AL West.
