The Seattle Mariners placed Cal Raleigh on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain. It is the first IL stint of Raleigh’s career.
Raleigh, the American League MVP runner-up in 2025, originally suffered the injury in early May. He missed three games before returning and then went on a 0-for-38 streak. Raleigh aggravated the injury on Wednesday.
Pro Football Doc Medical Analysis
Pro Football Doc said Raleigh’s right oblique strain is a significant issue for a hitter, especially one whose power depends on rotation through the core.
“Oblique injuries can be devastating for a hitter,” Pro Football Doc said. “He’s a switch hitter, but it doesn’t matter. The right oblique can bother him from either side of the plate.”
Raleigh had not looked like the same hitter since originally suffering the injury in early May. He missed three games, returned to the lineup and went 0-for-38 before aggravating the strain.
“He doesn’t have the same power,” Pro Football Doc said. “It is time to shut him down, and unfortunately, it is likely to be more than 10 days.”
While the IL stint is a setback, Pro Football Doc said the aggravation could ultimately help the Mariners if it forces Raleigh to fully recover before returning.
“Hats off to him for battling through and trying to stay in the lineup,” Pro Football Doc said. “But this is probably good news in the end for the Mariners. Sit him down, get him healthy and let him be the hitter he was again.”
Pro Football Doc expects Raleigh to avoid the 60-day IL, but said his absence is likely to last longer than the minimum 10 days.
Bottom Line
The Mariners do not have a timeline for his return. The team will further evaluate Raleigh when it returns to Seattle this weekend.
