The Seattle Mariners' star catcher, Cal Raleigh, is facing a challenging season, marked by injuries and a stark contrast to his impressive performance last year. At 29, Raleigh's 2026 campaign took a turn for the worse when he was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain, adding to an already difficult season. This injury marks the first time in his six-year career that Raleigh has been sidelined due to injury.
Raleigh's struggles began even before his recent injury. In 41 games this season, his batting average of .161 is a stark contrast to his .247 average with 60 home runs and 125 RBI in 159 games last year. His performance has been so poor that his .161 average is the second-lowest in the majors among hitters with enough at-bats to qualify, with only Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins (.150) having a lower average.
Raleigh's struggles are particularly notable given his remarkable achievements last season. He broke the record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season, previously held by Kansas City Royals star Salvador Perez, and also set the Mariners' franchise record for most homers in a season, surpassing Ken Griffey Jr.'s previous record. He also broke the record for most home runs in a season by a switch-hitter, previously held by New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle.
The question now is whether Raleigh can recover from his current slump and regain his form from last season. The Mariners have recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma to fill Raleigh's spot on the active roster, but it remains to be seen if this will be enough to turn the tide for the team.
One thing is certain: Raleigh's struggles this season are a stark reminder of the unpredictability of professional sports. Even the most talented athletes can face setbacks, and it will be interesting to see how Raleigh and the Mariners respond to this challenge.
