Cal Raleigh was scratched shortly before first pitch with Seattle. Mitch Garver and Jhonny Pereda were involved as the Mariners adjusted.
Cal Raleigh’s night in the Seattle lineup ended minutes before first pitch as the Mariners scratched their catcher on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals.
Seattle had initially set Raleigh to bat second and catch, but he was ruled out just over an hour before the game. Misryoum understands the Mariners did not provide an immediate explanation for the late change, leaving the decision to miss the start unclear so close to first pitch.
Misryoum notes that the timing of the scratch matters. particularly for a player who has seen his season split into two distinct phases.. After a very slow start at the plate. Raleigh has begun to find some rhythm. including five of his homers arriving in his past 15 games.. Through 33 games, he is hitting .186 with seven home runs and 18 RBI.
In Raleigh’s absence, the Mariners reshuffled their batting order. Julio Rodríguez moved into the No. 2 spot, while backup catcher Mitch Garver was scheduled to hit eighth, giving Seattle a different look behind the plate.
This is one of those lineup swings that can ripple beyond the batting order. A late scratch forces managers to balance comfort, matchups, and defensive stability, and it can change how the rest of the lineup is set to attack the opposing starter.
On top of the catching adjustment, Seattle also made another roster move before the game. The Mariners placed infielder Will Wilson on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, due to a left thumb fracture. To fill the spot, the team called up catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma.
For the Mariners, these combined moves add up to a busy day of adjustments, and they underline how quickly plans can shift in a long season. With Raleigh unavailable, Seattle will be watching both how Garver handles the position and whether Rodríguez’s elevated spot sparks the offense.