Misryoum reports Cal Raleigh was removed from the Mariners lineup about an hour before first pitch versus the Royals.
A sudden lineup shake-up hit the Seattle Mariners just before they faced the Kansas City Royals, with Cal Raleigh scratched roughly an hour before first pitch.
With Saturday’s 9:40 p.m. EST start approaching, Raleigh was taken out of the lineup without a clear explanation from the club. Misryoum reports the team had not offered an immediate reason, leaving fans and observers waiting for confirmation as game time neared.
In a game that matters for the Mariners’ push toward a .500 mark, losing a regular like Raleigh on short notice can change more than just the batting order.
Seattle moved quickly by recalling catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma. At the same time, the start behind the plate will go to Mitch Garver, who is set to handle the catching duties while Raleigh sits.
Adding to the broader catching picture, Misryoum notes that Wilson is heading to the injured list with a fractured left thumb, underscoring how thin margins can become when roster decisions pile up.
This is the kind of late operational change that can ripple through a team’s routine, from pitch-calling to game-day chemistry, even if the opponent’s scouting report stays the same.
Raleigh, 29, had been in every Mariners game to this point in the season, making Saturday’s scratch his first absence of the 2026 campaign. The timing also raises the possibility that this could be precautionary, though no official clarity was available at the time of reporting.
Through 129 at-bats this season, Raleigh has posted 24 hits, including seven home runs, along with 18 RBIs. His batting line sits at a .186 average with a .272 on-base percentage, but he entered the matchup having homered in each of his previous two games.
For Seattle, the immediate priority is simple: keep offensive production moving and stabilize the lineup while the catching rotation adjusts on the fly.
Misryoum will continue tracking the situation to see whether the decision affects Raleigh’s availability beyond Saturday and how quickly the Mariners can regain their usual rhythm against Kansas City.