Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has taken the first significant step in his recovery from a right oblique strain, participating in light batting practice in Arizona this week. While the star catcher’s return to the lineup remains without a set timeline, he is scheduled to rejoin the team in Seattle this weekend.
Raleigh’s Progression and Swing Intensity
The path back to the field for Cal Raleigh is being managed with extreme caution. Mariners General Manager Justin Hollander confirmed that Raleigh took 30 swings off a tee in Arizona on Friday—15 from each side of the plate—at moderate intensity. This activity marked the first time the switch-hitting catcher has utilized a bat since landing on the injured list.
According to Seattle Sports, the organization’s primary focus is not on the volume of swings, but on the intensity of the work. The medical staff is monitoring how Raleigh’s body responds to increasing effort, with plans to eventually transition from tee work to a machine and, finally, to live batting practice. Currently, Raleigh is also performing catching drills and throwing out to 130 feet, marking a notable milestone in his recovery.
The Philosophy Behind the Mariners’ Caution
The Mariners are intentionally avoiding a concrete return date for Raleigh and utilityman Brendan Donovan, who is also sidelined with a groin strain. Hollander emphasized that the team’s strategy is designed to prevent the risk of players rushing back to meet an arbitrary deadline, which could lead to further setbacks.
“I think the reason that we’re being extra cautious with these guys is that if we put a date on the calendar and said, ‘They’re going to go on a rehab assignment on this day,’ they will go on the rehab assignment on that day, whether they’re actually feeling good enough to do it or not.”
Justin Hollander, Mariners General Manager, via MLB.com
As Lookout Landing reported, Hollander noted that the organization is choosing to “treat the patient, not just treat the diagnosis.” This approach accounts for the specific personalities of both Raleigh and Donovan, who are recognized for their high pain tolerance and gritty play styles. The team is prioritizing their long-term health to ensure that when they return to the active roster, they are capable of performing at full capacity.
Status of Brendan Donovan and Roster Implications
While Raleigh begins his integration back into baseball activities, the team is taking a slightly different approach with Brendan Donovan. Donovan, who is currently managing a left groin strain, has been utilizing an anti-gravity treadmill in Arizona. The goal is for him to transition to a baseball-running progression—starting with straight lines and moving toward lateral cuts—within the next few days.
The Mariners are “less concerned about the hitting than we are about the running” for Donovan, as his lower-body injury requires a more specialized recovery path than Raleigh’s oblique strain. Both players are expected to undergo rehab assignments before returning to the major league roster, though the specific timing of those assignments remains dependent on daily evaluations rather than a pre-set schedule.
Next Steps in Seattle
Raleigh is expected to arrive in Seattle this weekend to reconnect with the medical staff and his teammates, a visit that manager Dan Wilson indicated will be a welcome morale boost for the clubhouse. Following that check-in, the club will determine whether Raleigh stays in the Pacific Northwest or returns to Arizona to continue his progression.
In the interim, the team has relied on Mitch Garver and Jhonny Pereda to manage the catching duties. Since Raleigh’s departure, Garver has posted a .994 OPS, providing the team with some offensive stability during a season that has otherwise been defined by an uneven, flat performance at the plate. For now, the organization remains committed to a deliberate build-up, ensuring that when Raleigh is back, he is truly ready to play at 100 percent.
