Cal Raleigh Sits Third Straight Game as Mariners Await MRI Results

Key facts

• Cal Raleigh missed his third consecutive game on May 3, 2026, due to right side soreness.
• The Mariners are awaiting MRI results to determine the extent of Raleigh's injury.
• Catcher Jhonny Pereda was called up from Triple-A on May 2 after Will Wilson went on the IL with a thumb fracture.
• Infielder Ryan Bliss joined the taxi squad as additional infield depth.
• Gabe Speier was placed on the IL with left shoulder inflammation.
• José Suarez, claimed off waivers from the Braves, and Josh Simpson were added to the roster.
• Cole Wilcox was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to make room for Simpson.
• Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez left his start after four innings with a hamstring strain and is considered day-to-day.

Raleigh Sidelined as MRI Looms

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has missed his third consecutive game, sidelined by persistent soreness in his right side that first surfaced after Friday's game. The team is awaiting MRI results to determine the severity of the injury, though Raleigh expressed cautious optimism, telling reporters he felt better 'compared to where it was feeling postgame Friday and [Saturday] early. Very positive, very encouraging.' The Mariners are proceeding with caution. General manager Justin Hollander has not ruled out a stint on the injured list, and a decision may come by Tuesday to ensure any IL placement can be backdated within the three-day window. Raleigh's absence leaves a significant hole in the lineup: the 29-year-old backstop is a two-time All-Star and the anchor of Seattle's defense.

Roster Shuffles Amid Injury Wave

To cover Raleigh, the Mariners called up catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A on Saturday after placing infielder Will Wilson on the 10-day injured list with a fractured thumb. Infielder Ryan Bliss was added to the taxi squad as further infield depth, a move that could become a full roster addition if Raleigh lands on the IL. The pitching staff also took a hit. Left-handed reliever Gabe Speier was placed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation, a blow to a bullpen that already relied heavily on his slider. Speier, 31, has seen his expected metrics spike this season — a.261 xBA,.466 xSLG, and.337 xwOBA — all career highs and roughly a hundred points above his 2025 marks. His slider, thrown 35% of the time, has lost its consistent bottom-of-the-zone location, leaving hittable pitches in the middle of the plate.

New Arms Arrive to Fill Gaps

To replace Speier, the Mariners turned to two left-handers: José Suarez, recently claimed off waivers from the Braves, and Josh Simpson, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. Suarez, a former AL West rival, has struggled with command this season but offers length as a former starter and neutral platoon splits. Simpson, 28, brings a devastating sweeper and strikeout potential but has battled control issues; his walk rate at Tacoma remains high, and his leash in Seattle is expected to be short. In a corresponding move, right-hander Cole Wilcox was optioned to Tacoma. Wilcox, who has electric stuff but command problems, will work on throwing strikes in the minors. The Mariners hope both Suarez and Simpson can carve out roles even after Speier returns.

Red Sox Also Hit by Injury Scare

The injury bug extended to Boston, where left-hander Ranger Suarez exited his start after four innings with a hamstring strain. Suarez told reporters he is hopeful the injury is not serious enough to cost him his next start. He will remain in Boston to rest while the Red Sox travel to Detroit for a three-game series. No MRI is planned at this time. The Red Sox are already stretched thin, with six starters — including Garrett Crochet and Sonny Gray — on the injured list. Manager Chad Tracy indicated the team may use an opener ahead of Brayan Bello on Tuesday to shield the struggling right-hander from Detroit's left-handed hitters. Suarez's injury history, including eight documented injuries in less than four years, has drawn scrutiny from fans and analysts who question the team's reliance on high-velocity, injury-prone pitchers.

Broader Context: A Season of Attrition

The Mariners and Red Sox are not alone in their injury struggles. Across the league, teams are grappling with a wave of soft-tissue and arm injuries that have sidelined key players. The Twins' top prospect, Walker Jenkins, left a Triple-A game after colliding with the outfield wall and is undergoing testing for a left shoulder injury. The fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Jenkins was expected to make his MLB debut in 2026; that timeline is now uncertain. Meanwhile, White Sox right-hander Shane Smith will miss at least two weeks with a right rotator cuff strain, adding to a season already marred by a 10.80 ERA in two major league starts. The accumulation of injuries has forced teams to dig deep into their farm systems, testing organizational depth and reshaping playoff races before the All-Star break.

What Comes Next for Seattle

The next 48 hours are critical for the Mariners. If Raleigh's MRI reveals no structural damage, he could return as soon as Tuesday, providing a boost to a lineup that has struggled to generate offense without him. If the results are worse, Seattle may need to place him on the IL and recall another catcher or infielder from the taxi squad. The bullpen, meanwhile, will rely on Suarez and Simpson to stabilize a unit that has lost its most reliable left-handed option. Both pitchers have something to prove: Suarez is looking to regain the form that made him a successful starter in the AL West, while Simpson aims to harness his raw stuff and earn a permanent role. For a Mariners team with postseason aspirations, the next few weeks will test their depth and resilience.

The bottom line

• Cal Raleigh's MRI results will determine whether he returns this week or requires an IL stint, with a decision expected by Tuesday.
• Gabe Speier's shoulder inflammation adds to Seattle's bullpen woes, forcing the team to rely on unproven left-handers José Suarez and Josh Simpson.
• Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez is day-to-day with a hamstring strain, further straining a rotation already missing six starters.
• Top Twins prospect Walker Jenkins suffered a left shoulder injury in Triple-A, potentially delaying his anticipated 2026 MLB debut.
• The Mariners' roster moves — including the call-up of Jhonny Pereda and addition of Ryan Bliss — reflect the team's need to patch holes across multiple positions.
• Injury trends across MLB, including a focus on max-effort pitching, are raising questions about player durability and team-building strategies.