The Seattle Mariners are holding their breath after star catcher Cal Raleigh was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup against the Kansas City Royals, with manager Dan Wilson describing the ailment as "general soreness."

The 2025 American League MVP finalist was originally slated to bat second in the starting lineup at T-Mobile Park, but was pulled just before first pitch. In his place, backup catcher Mitch Garver stepped behind the plate for the full game.

The timing of the move raised eyebrows, especially given the occasion. Saturday was a celebration of Mariners legend Randy Johnson, whose No. 51 was retired alongside Ichiro Suzuki, Edgar Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr., and Jackie Robinson in left-center field. But the festivities took a backseat when Raleigh's absence became known.

Seattle's concerns deepened when the club recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma and placed infielder Will Wilson on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left thumb. The move to bring up another backstop signaled the team was preparing for a potential extended absence.

Wilson addressed the situation after the game, offering a cautiously optimistic update. "Just a little soreness today, so we kept him out," the manager said. "Able to get a little imaging done. He's day-to-day."

Raleigh, a former Platinum Glove winner, has been the heart of the Mariners' lineup and defense this season. His late scratch came on a night when Seattle fell 3-2 in extra innings to the Royals, despite a career-high 14 strikeouts from starter Emerson Hancock over seven innings.

For now, the Mariners and their fans are left waiting. With a player of Raleigh's caliber, even "general soreness" is enough to keep everyone on edge. The team will likely provide more clarity in the coming days as they monitor their star catcher's recovery.