Cal Raleigh’s Oblique Injury: Rehab Progress and Outlook for the Seattle Mariners

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh was placed on the injured list after aggravating a right oblique injury during a game in Houston, marking the first time he has entered the IL in his career. He was sent to the club’s Arizona facility for rehabilitation and, two weeks later, made a brief appearance in the dugout during Seattle’s 5-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

Before the injury, Raleigh was struggling offensively, posting a .161 batting average with seven home runs and enduring a 0-for-38 slump that ended the day before the oblique flare-up. As a switch-hitter, he reports feeling the strain at different points in the swing—early when batting right-handed and later when left-handed—highlighting the nuanced nature of oblique injuries.

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

• Batting average pre-injury: .161

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• Home runs: 7

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• 0-for-38 stretch preceding IL placement

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• Rehab activities in Arizona: tee work (15 swings per side), flips, standing in bullpens, Trajekt machine, light weight training, running

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

• 30 swings taken in a single Arizona session

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• Timeline: injury -> IL -> two weeks in Arizona -> dugout cameo (Saturday) -> staff meeting (Sunday) -> anticipated update by Wednesday

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Raleigh’s regimen includes moderate-intensity tee work, flips, and bullpen catching without swings. He emphasizes the difficulty of replicating in-game swing energy, noting that “everything can feel great now and then you get into a game and you might feel it.” The plan calls for a gradual ramp-up, “checking boxes” and daily communication with the training staff. He expects the next two days to be “pretty telling” for his recovery trajectory.

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

Mariners manager Dan Wilson described the IL as “not an easy experience” but suggested it could serve as “a nice breath of fresh air” and a potential fresh start for Raleigh. Head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson and the broader training staff are overseeing daily monitoring, adjusting intensity, and mapping out a schedule for upcoming rehab games.

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Raleigh is Seattle’s primary catcher, responsible for game-calling and defensive coordination. His absence coincides with a five-game winning streak, and his return could stabilize the lineup and bolster the team’s pitching staff. Raleigh’s own observations underscore the roster’s depth, noting the “talented” nature of the squad and its strong performance across pitching, hitting, and defense.

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

Raleigh anticipates a clearer picture of his rehab timeline by Wednesday, with upcoming “rehab games” serving as the next benchmark. The next two days will determine whether he can safely increase baseball activity while continuing light conditioning and monitoring.

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No definitive return date has been announced, and the exact schedule for rehab games remains unspecified, leaving the timeline for Raleigh’s full return uncertain.

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• “I was glad I got to come watch a good one last night, and see the boys, and hang out in the dugout,” — Cal Raleigh, Mariners catcher

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

• “These next two days will be pretty telling as far as how things are going. Ramping up the baseball slowly but surely, checking boxes, and from there it’ll just be communication with the staff and trying to set a plan up to get back as soon as I can.” — Cal Raleigh

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

• “The hard part about it is you can’t really replicate in-game swings, having that same kind of energy and percentile and that adrenaline going, it’s hard to replicate. So everything can feel great now, and then you get into a game and you might feel it, or have a little setback. So I’m just hoping with all the work I put in it’ll get there. I’m trying to be smart about getting back as quick as I can, but making sure this thing doesn’t linger for the rest of the year. It’s definitely been a topic we’ve talked about a lot.” — Cal Raleigh

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

• “It’s really hard watching the games on TV, but it’s weird watching it, you not being there, it’s just like a ‘Twilight Zone’ kind of feeling.” — Cal Raleigh

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• “I feel like that relative that texts you after every game. Like if anyone hits a home run I’m like, ‘nice swing, dude.’ I feel like such a loser right now, sitting on the bench. So I’m a big cheerleader from afar. I was trying to stay in touch, trying to keep it light and be funny with the guys as much as I could.” — Cal Raleigh

For Cal Raleigh, injury presents a new perspective on the Mariners

• “The IL, don’t get me wrong, is not an easy experience and it’s difficult in a lot of ways. But in some ways, I think it can be also a nice breath of fresh air,” — Dan Wilson, Mariners manager

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