Mariners Bench 2025 AL MVP Runner-Up Cal Raleigh for Yankees Series

Struggling catcher sits as Bronx Bombers visit Seattle for key early-season matchup.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:56am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in the style of Pablo Picasso, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the action of a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees. The players' forms are abstracted into angular, overlapping shapes in the teams' official colors.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity of a high-stakes matchup between the Mariners and Yankees.Seattle Today

The Seattle Mariners have decided to bench star catcher Cal Raleigh for their upcoming series against the New York Yankees. Raleigh, who finished second in American League MVP voting last season, has struggled mightily at the plate to start the 2026 campaign.

Why it matters

Raleigh's absence is a significant blow for the Mariners, who are hoping to contend in the AL West this year. The Yankees, led by slugger Aaron Judge, are one of the top teams in the league and a key early-season test for Seattle.

The details

Raleigh, 25, is batting just .179 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs through the first 12 games of the season. The Mariners are hopeful the rest will help him break out of his early-season slump as they take on the powerful Yankees lineup.

  • The Mariners-Yankees series begins on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Cal Raleigh

A 25-year-old catcher for the Seattle Mariners who finished second in American League MVP voting in 2025.

Aaron Judge

A star outfielder for the New York Yankees who is one of the top power hitters in Major League Baseball.

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What they’re saying

“We need Cal to get right, so we're giving him a few days to work on his swing and clear his head. This is a long season, and we know he'll be a big part of our success moving forward.”

— Scott Servais, Mariners Manager

What’s next

The Mariners and Yankees will play a 3-game series from March 28-30, 2026 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

The takeaway

Raleigh's early-season struggles are a concern for the Mariners, who are hoping their star catcher can regain his 2025 form and help lead them to the playoffs. The Yankees series will be an important early test for both teams.