The Seattle Mariners received a tough blow Thursday morning when star catcher Cal Raleigh—who smashed 60 home runs last season—was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain. After snapping an 0-for-38 slump Tuesday night, Raleigh tweaked something in his side, and the team is now forced to adjust behind the plate.

Fortunately, the Mariners aren't scrambling for a replacement. They're handing the keys to an award-winning veteran: Mitch Garver. At 35 years old, Garver brings a World Series ring from his time with the Texas Rangers and a Silver Slugger Award from his 2019 season with the Minnesota Twins—a year he hit .273 with a .995 OPS and an eye-popping 31 home runs in just 93 games.

Garver's most recent productive stretch came in 2023 with the Rangers, where he posted 2.3 bWAR in 87 games, batting .270 with 19 homers and an .870 OPS. Since joining Seattle, however, his numbers have dipped—a .627 OPS in 2024 and a .639 OPS in limited action last season. Through 20 games this year, he's hitting just .167 with a .532 OPS.

But here's the silver lining: given Raleigh's recent 0-for-38 skid, Garver doesn't need to be elite to match that level of production. The Mariners will also have Jhonny Pereda as extra catching depth—he's posted a .604 OPS over 50 career MLB games.

Seattle is leaning on Garver's pedigree while Raleigh recovers from his oblique strain. It's been a few years since Garver produced at an All-Star level, but if he can channel even a fraction of his 2019 form, the Mariners might just weather this storm.