Cal Raleigh Out of Mariners Lineup Following 10 Strikeouts in Opening Series

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh was excluded from the starting lineup against the New York Yankees after starting the season 2-for-15 with 10 strikeouts.

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners opened their home series against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park without Cal Raleigh in the starting lineup. Raleigh, the 29-year-old catcher who finished as the AL MVP runner-up last season, has struggled through an ice-cold start to the 2026 campaign, recording just two hits in 15 at-bats. During the opening series against the Cleveland Guardians, the switch-hitter struck out 10 times, leading Manager Dan Wilson to opt for a day of rest for his star backstop. While Raleigh sits, Aaron Judge occupies the No. 2 hole for the visiting Yankees on Monday night.

Veteran Mitch Garver earned his first appearance of the season in Raleigh’s absence, starting at catcher and batting sixth in the order. This tactical shift comes just four games into the season, a stark contrast to last year when Raleigh did not miss a start at catcher or designated hitter until the 35th game. Manager Dan Wilson cited a desire to manage the workload of a player who recently participated in three World Baseball Classic games for the United States. Raleigh’s spring training was shortened due to his international commitments, and the Mariners' staff is attempting to prevent a spike in his early-season physical exertion.

Historical Context of Raleigh’s 60-Home Run Season

Last year, Raleigh set a major league record for catchers by hitting 60 home runs, matching the single-season mark established by Hall of Famer Babe Ruth in 1927. That historic performance saw Raleigh appear in a career-high 159 games and accumulate 705 plate appearances. Despite the high expectations following three consecutive seasons of at least 30 home runs, Raleigh has historically been a slow starter. In 2025, his batting average did not climb above the .200 Mendoza line until his 10th game, and his home run production did not accelerate until mid-April.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, a former 10-year major league catcher, noted that expecting another 60-homer campaign is unrealistic. Vogt emphasized that while Raleigh is widely considered the best two-way catcher in baseball, hitting 50 or more home runs is a rare feat for any player. The Mariners remain hopeful that Raleigh will replicate his All-Star level production as the 2026 season progresses, even if he does not reach the 60-homer plateau again.

Defensive Impact and Work Ethic

Beyond his offensive statistics, Raleigh is recognized for his ability to control a pitching staff and manage the game from behind the plate. Aaron Judge, who was Raleigh’s teammate during the World Baseball Classic, praised the catcher’s work ethic and professional demeanor. Judge remarked that Raleigh’s greatness is evident in how he conducts himself on the field. This defensive prowess is a primary reason the Mariners kept him in the lineup for nearly every game last season, though Wilson is now taking a more proactive approach to rest to ensure long-term health.

Unless Raleigh enters Monday's contest as a pinch hitter, he will have a maximum of two remaining opportunities to face Judge and the Yankees during this regular-season series. The Mariners' decision to bench him follows a season where they monitored his workload closely but rarely found a reason to remove him from the field. Wilson admitted that Raleigh is a difficult player to keep out of the lineup because of his competitive nature and desire to play every day.

Strategic Rest and Season Outlook

The decision to start Garver over Raleigh is part of a broader strategy to assess player fatigue in real-time. By providing rest on the fourth game of the year, the Mariners hope to avoid the late-season fatigue that can plague high-volume catchers. Raleigh’s 2-for-15 start serves as the immediate catalyst for this break, providing a mental and physical reset after the high-strikeout series against Cleveland. The team is looking for Raleigh to find the stride he discovered late in April of the previous year, maintaining his status as a multidimensional talent who impacts the game both at the plate and behind it.