Mariners Catcher Cal Raleigh Faces Early Season Struggles

Raleigh's slow start raises questions about his performance and role on the team.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:42pm

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Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has faced a concerning start to the 2026 MLB season, struggling during his time with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and continuing those issues in the early games of the regular season. Raleigh was benched during the WBC and his early-season performance has raised questions about his role and status with the Mariners.

Why it matters

As a key player for the Mariners, Raleigh's struggles could have a significant impact on the team's performance and playoff aspirations this season. The Mariners will need Raleigh to return to form if they hope to build on their success from last year.

The details

Raleigh, 25, had a breakout 2025 season for the Mariners, hitting .260 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs. However, he struggled mightily in the World Baseball Classic, going just 2-for-15 at the plate and being benched by Team USA's coaching staff. Those issues have carried over to the start of the 2026 MLB season, with Raleigh hitting just .179 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs in the Mariners' first 12 games.

  • Raleigh struggled during his time with Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.
  • Raleigh's slow start has continued into the first 12 games of the 2026 MLB regular season.

The players

Cal Raleigh

A 25-year-old catcher for the Seattle Mariners who is coming off a breakout 2025 season but has struggled early in 2026.

Seattle Mariners

The MLB team that Raleigh plays for, who are hoping he can return to form to help the team build on their success from last season.

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What they’re saying

“We're not too concerned about Cal right now, but we need him to get going if we want to make a playoff push this year.”

— Scott Servais, Mariners Manager

What’s next

The Mariners will continue to monitor Raleigh's performance and work with him to try to get him back on track. If his struggles continue, the team may need to consider other options at the catcher position.

The takeaway

Raleigh's early-season slump is a concerning development for the Mariners, who will need their young catcher to regain his form from last season if they hope to build on their success and make a deep playoff run in 2026.