M’s Notebook: Raleigh joins Team USA for WBC, plus roster move

In a year in which he’s taken the nation by storm with his historic home run pace, it’s only fitting that Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is now America’s catcher.

The best right-handed hitter in baseball is Cal Raleigh

During an interview Monday on MLB Network before the Home Run Derby, Raleigh revealed he will be the catcher for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

“You got the USA across your chest. It’s like a dream getting to play for your country,” Raleigh said. “… What a special chance.”

"USA across your chest, it's like a dream… what a special chance."@Mariners star Cal Raleigh discusses being invited by @USABaseball to play in the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic.

📺 All-Star Media Day on MLB Network https://t.co/EXryt7RnUZ pic.twitter.com/mckxmi5UW3

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 14, 2025

Raleigh will join manager Mark DeRosa, whom he did the Monday interview with, as well as New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes on Team USA.

Raleigh set the AL record with his 38th home run before the All-Star break in Detroit on Friday. He finished just one shy of Barry Bonds’ MLB record of 39. It’s the third straight season Raleigh has hit at least 30 home runs.

The 6.2 fWAR Raleigh has produced this season is second among all players, trailing only Judge.

Seattle’s backstop is set to compete in his first Home Run Derby on Monday and All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Vargas back with M’s

The Mariners reinstated right-hander Carlos Vargas off the paternity list Monday and optioned left-hander Tayler Saucedo back to Triple-A Tacoma.

Vargas has a 3-5 with a 3.43 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 44 2/3 innings in his first season on Seattle’s major league roster. The 25 year old has appeared in a team-high 42 games out of the bullpen.

Saucedo, who went to Maple Valley’s Tahoma High School, pitched a scoreless inning of relief with one strikeout Saturday in his lone appearance while Vargas was on the paternity list. He has a 7.71 ERA over 4 2/3 innings across three stints in the majors this year.

Cal’s tribute to Seattle

The Athletic’s Jayson Stark shared a photo on social media showing photos of three of Raleigh’s special Home Run Derby bats.

All three bats had Raleigh’s “Big Dumper” nickname written on them, including a green and gold bat with the Seattle skyline marking a tribute to the Seattle SuperSonics.

Just ran into the guy from Rawlings on his way to drop off Cal Raleigh's special Big Dumper HR Derby bats at the ballpark.

How cool are these! pic.twitter.com/nqRNFsLwGd

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 13, 2025

More on the Seattle Mariners

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