Mariners shake up lineup, including dropping Cal in order

With their offense in search of a spark to break out of an extended funk, the Seattle Mariners shook up their lineup for Friday’s series opener against the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, including dropping star catcher Cal Raleigh to eighth in the order.

M’s game, Alumni Home Run Derby airing on different streaming services

Raleigh batting eighth is one of a handful of shifts in Seattle’s batting order against All-Star right-hander and Puyallup native Drew Rasmussen.

Recently acquired outfielder/designated hitter Taylor Ward is getting his second straight start and first against a right-hander in the leadoff spot. Ward will play right field and be followed in the order by second baseman Cole Young, who is getting his first career start as the No. 2 hitter.

Randy Arozarena is in left field and batting third and designated hitter Dominic Canzone is in the cleanup spot, followed by center fielder Julio Rodríguez, first baseman Josh Naylor, third baseman Brendan Donovan, Raleigh and shortstop Colt Emerson.

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Both Rodríguez and Raleigh are hitting further down in the order than they have in any start since at least 2024. Rodríguez had made 97 of previous 104 starts hitting second or third this year and hit either first, second or third in every game he played last season. Raleigh hasn’t hit eighth or lower in order in a start since his first full season in the majors in 2022.

Rodríguez hit 10 homers in a strong May earlier this year but hasn’t provided much pop since. In 45 games since June 1, he is slashing .250/.325/.357 with five homers and a 99 wRC+ (100 is league average).

Raleigh, the AL MVP runner-up during a 60-homer campaign in 2025, is still trying to find his groove at the plate after a slow start and month spent on the injured list with a right oblique strain. In 82 games this year, Raleigh has a .162/.266/.308 slash line with 12 homers. His 70 wRC+ is tied for the fourth worst among MLB hitters with at least 300 plate appearances this year.

Seattle’s lineup shakeup comes after it was shut out in two of three games during its recent series with the Detroit Tigers. The club has failed to score a run in five of its past 28 games.

Right-hander Logan Gilbert is set to take the mound for the Mariners as they kick off their 50 Seasons Celebration Weekend at T-Mobile Park.

Friday’s game will be followed by the franchise’s first-ever Alumni Home Run Derby.

First pitch against Tampa Bay is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Friday night. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app starts with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Morosi: The missing piece Seattle Mariners’ offense needs
• Where Seattle Mariners’ playoff odds stand after series loss to Tigers
• New Seattle Mariners prospect hits first HR with organization

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