Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has returned to the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park. He is serving as designated hitter after missing three games due to right side soreness. The team avoided placing the AL MVP runner-up on the injured list.
Cal Raleigh missed the Mariners' past three games following right side soreness that emerged during Friday’s loss to the Royals. The club arranged an MRI on Saturday, after which Raleigh progressed through light baseball activities on Sunday and a fuller pregame routine on Monday. He returned to the lineup batting second as designated hitter, easing concerns over a potential injured list stint in his first such absence in six MLB seasons in his sixth season with Seattle. Mariners manager Dan Wilson and Raleigh downplayed the injury's severity, prioritizing caution given the early May timing. Raleigh had started 32 of Seattle's first 33 games this season, including 25 behind the plate, before the issue sidelined him. He explained his decision on Sunday, saying, “I could go out there and play. But I think, overall, looking at it, it's May. And trust me, I want to be out there, but obviously thinking about the team and the longevity.” Raleigh added, “You're always using your core and so you just want to be smart, right? You don't want something that could be a day or two turn into weeks or a month.” In his absence, backup Mitch Garver started two games, while newcomer Jhonny Pereda caught Sunday, impressing with a caught stealing of Isaac Collins. Seattle now carries three catchers on its 40-man roster, with Pereda likely to return to Triple-A Tacoma if Raleigh resumes catching duties soon. The Mariners have 10 players on the IL, though third baseman Brendan Donovan is set for a rehab assignment starting Tuesday and could return by Friday against the White Sox. Raleigh, heating up lately with five homers in his past 10 games, enters Tuesday slashing .186/.272/.380.
