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The Seattle Mariners face injury challenges, including a week-long shutdown for catcher Cal Raleigh due to an oblique strain. However, several key players are expected to return soon.
Several Key Contributors on Cusp of Returns to Seattle Mariners
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners injury troubles have been a mix of short-term and long-term absences this season, with multiple players affected across multiple short and long-term time frames.
Mariners general manager Justin Hollander revealed before a game against the San Diego Padres on Friday that starting catcher and 2025 American League MVP finalist Cal Raleigh would be shut down for a week then reevaluated due to a right oblique strain.
Being without Raleigh for any period of time will be a net negative for Seattle. On the flip side, it looks like several key contributors are nearing their returns to the team.
Here's an overview of injury updates provided by Hollander on several players.
Right-handed setup man Matt Brash has been on the shelf since May 1 due to right lat inflammation.
Brash made his first rehab outing Thursday for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers and struck out the side in order.
The Mariners still need to reassess where Brash is at, but things are trending toward Brash being activated off the injured list this homestand, which ends Wednesday.
"We just want to make sure we're doing the right thing for Matt," Hollander said Friday. "These injuries can be tricky. And if we feel like it's best for him to have one more (appearance) in Tacoma, we'll do that. If he feels super confident, as does the training staff, then he's good to go and we'll talk about what's the right day to activate him."
Cal Raleigh is currently shut down for a week due to a right oblique strain and will be reevaluated afterward.
Several key contributors are nearing their returns, although specific names were not mentioned in the update.
The Mariners have experienced a mix of short-term and long-term absences, impacting their overall performance.
Raleigh's absence is considered a net negative for the team, as he is a significant contributor.

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Brash is yet to allow an earned run across 14 major league appearances this season.
Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Brash throws during a game against the Cleveland Guardians on March 27 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Stephen Brashear/Imagn Images.
Based on the M's' testing, Brash will likely either be activated or go on another rehab outing Saturday or Sunday.
Victor Robles has been out for over a month due to a right pec strain. He was placed on the IL April 8 (retroactive to April 7) due to that injury.
Robles has been on a rehab assignment with the Rainiers since May 3. In nine games with the Triple-A club, Robles has slashed .207/.351/.276 with a .627 OPS and has hit two doubles with an RBI. He's also stolen two bases.
Robles will be staying with Tacoma for the time being, but he's trending toward being activated in the next week.
"(Robles) will play through the weekend and early next week (with the Rainiers)," Hollander said. "Likely will reassess for activation towards the end of the next week when we go out on the road in Kansas City."
Another high-leverage arm for Seattle's bullpen, Gabe Speier, was placed on the IL on May 4 (retroactive to May 3) due to left shoulder inflammation.
Speier is scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday and could potentially begin a rehab assignment next week. So far, it seems like Speier's rehab has gone very well, per Hollander's comments.
"(Speier) really feels like he turned a corner last week," Hollander said. " ... He says 'this is the best I felt.' ... He'll throw a bullpen on Sunday. If that goes well, we could be looking at a rehab Wednesday (May 20)."
-- Infielder Patrick Wisdom (left oblique strain) began a rehab assignment with the Rainiers on May 5. He'll conclude his assignment "in the next few days," per Hollander and will be day-to-day in the lead up to his activation.
-- Utility player Miles Mastrobuoni (right calf strain) will likely return to games in mid-June, per Hollander.
-- Infielder Will Wilson, who's been on the shelf with a left thumb fracture, recently had X-rays on his thumb that showed healing. He'll ramp up baseball activities over the next several weeks.
-- Right-handed reliever Carlos Vargas (right lat strain) is "making progress" and is targeting late June as a potential rehab assignment.
-- Top 100 prospect Michael Arroyo (No. 48 MLB Pipeline) exited a game for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers on Friday with an "apparent lower body injury" after trying to beat out a ground ball. He walked out of the game under his own power. There was no update from Hollander as it happened after his media availability.
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