Seattle Mariners Schedule Offseason Surgeries for Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor After Disappointing 2026 Season
The Seattle Mariners finished the 2026 Major League Baseball season 10 games under .500, a steep decline after capturing the American League West title in 2025, according to sports.yahoo.com and uk.sports.yahoo.com. Team officials announced Monday that two of their primary offensive contributors, catcher Cal Raleigh and first baseman Josh Naylor, played through significant injuries throughout the campaign that ultimately required surgical intervention.
Surgical Procedures Planned for Raleigh and Naylor
Cal Raleigh underwent a procedure on his left shoulder, while Josh Naylor had surgery on his right wrist, sports.yahoo.com reported. Both players are expected to make full recoveries and be healthy by the start of spring training. The physical toll limited their productivity during a year where the Mariners crashed and burned from their previous season’s success. Raleigh also missed time early in the year due to an oblique issue, compounding the physical setbacks for the catcher.
Production Drops for Both Mariners Stars
The injuries translated to stark declines in offensive output compared to prior seasons. After nearly winning the American League MVP award and leading baseball with 60 home runs in 2025, Raleigh batted just .182 and hit 23 home runs in 2026, with 14 of those long balls coming in the second half, according to sports.yahoo.com. Naylor experienced a similar drop at the plate, slugging just .350 after maintaining a slugging percentage over .450 in each of the previous four seasons. uk.sports.yahoo.com noted that Naylor’s .350 mark was tied for the eighth-worst among MLB regulars, trailing players such as Caleb Durbin, Jose Altuve, and Jung Hoo Lee in power production.
Bullpen Collapse Compounds Offensive Struggles
While Raleigh and Naylor played a central role in the team underachieving, the offense’s regression was compounded by other roster shortcomings. Julio Rodríguez recorded his lowest slash line since entering the majors, and few teammates stepped up to fill the void during the offensive slump, as reported by sports.yahoo.com. The Mariners' bullpen completely collapsed after functioning as a major strength during their 2025 division-winning run.
Starting Pitching Provides Stability for 2027
Despite the offensive and bullpen setbacks, the Mariners maintained a strong starting rotation in 2026, and those starting pitchers remain under contract for the 2027 season, according to uk.sports.yahoo.com.
When Did the Mariners Announce the Surgeries?
When did the Mariners announce the surgeries for Raleigh and Naylor?
The Seattle Mariners announced the offseason surgical procedures on Monday, following the conclusion of their 2026 season.
What specific injuries did Raleigh and Naylor sustain?
Cal Raleigh underwent a procedure on his left shoulder, and Josh Naylor had surgery on his right wrist. Raleigh also missed time earlier in the year with an oblique issue.
How did Raleigh’s offensive numbers change from 2025 to 2026?
After hitting 60 home runs and nearly winning the American League MVP award in 2025, Raleigh’s batting average dropped to .182 and his home run total fell to 23 in 2026.
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