Seattle Mariners Catcher Cal Raleigh Injured, Placed on IL

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is now on the injured list with a right oblique strain. This is his first time on the IL in his career.
By Newsroom | Sports, Baseball |

Injury Sidelines Star Catcher

Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners, has been placed on the 10-day injured list for the first time in his career. The move, announced Thursday morning, stems from a right oblique strain. This marks a significant, albeit unwanted, milestone for the player, who was the American League MVP runner-up and is in his sixth major league season.

The decision to place Raleigh on the injured list follows a period of considerable on-field struggle, including an extended hitless streak, and a clear physical issue. The injury reportedly caused him to grimace and alter his play, notably declining to throw to first base on a potential double play.

Slump Precedes IL Stint

Raleigh's trip to the injured list comes after he finally managed to snap an 0-for-38 hitless streak on Tuesday, during the Mariners' 10-2 victory over the Houston Astros. While the team had initially opted against an IL stint, hoping for a quick recovery, his performance and apparent discomfort suggested otherwise.

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  • The timing of the move has drawn commentary, with some suggesting it could have been made earlier to potentially mitigate the extended slump and the current injury.

  • Raleigh's batting average this season has been noted as being significantly below league average.

Club Faces Roster Strain

The Mariners are now navigating their series against the Houston Astros without their primary catcher. This placement adds to a growing list of Mariners players already on the injured list. This situation underscores the challenges teams face in managing player health and performance, particularly when key players are affected by injuries and slumps simultaneously.

Background: A Season of Trials

The right oblique strain had been a known issue for Raleigh, with reports of him tweaking his side as far back as May 5th. At that time, an IL stint was considered but not immediately enacted. The Mariners, according to reports, have had other players placed on the injured list recently, indicating a broader challenge with player availability. Notable among those on the IL previously include Gabe Speier and others like Brash, Brendan Donovan, Bryce Miller, Victor Robles, Carlos Vargas, Miles Mastrobuoni, Will Wilson, and Logan Evans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Cal Raleigh on the injured list?
Cal Raleigh, catcher for the Seattle Mariners, was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday morning because of a right oblique strain. This is the first time in his career he has been on the injured list.
Q: How did Cal Raleigh get injured?
The injury is a right oblique strain. He had been showing signs of discomfort and altering his play due to the strain for some time before being placed on the injured list.
Q: When was Cal Raleigh injured?
The injury was reported as a right oblique strain. He was placed on the injured list on Thursday morning, May 14, 2026. Reports of him tweaking his side go back to May 5th.
Q: What happens to the Mariners now that Cal Raleigh is injured?
The Seattle Mariners will play their series against the Houston Astros without their main catcher. This injury adds to other players on the Mariners' injured list, making roster management difficult for the team.