Seattle Mariners fans, the mystery behind Cal Raleigh's sluggish start to the season may finally have an answer. The star catcher is set to hit the injured list for the first time in his career, sidelined by a right oblique strain, according to MLB.com.

Raleigh left Wednesday's game early with side soreness, and now we know the extent of the issue. An oblique strain is a tricky injury for any player, but especially for a catcher, whose every throw and swing relies on that core rotation. For a power hitter like Raleigh, who launched 34 homers last season, this could explain why his numbers have dipped in 2026.

The move marks a significant milestone—not the good kind—for the Mariners backstop. In an era where catchers regularly battle through wear and tear, Raleigh had managed to stay off the IL entirely until now. That durability has been a key part of his value, making this setback all the more notable for Seattle's lineup.

To fill the gap, the Mariners have called up Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma. Pereda arrived in Houston this morning and will share catching duties with Mitch Garver for the foreseeable future. It's a timeshare that tests Seattle's depth, but one they'll need to lean on as Raleigh recovers and works to regain his form at the plate.