Cal Raleigh hits grand slam in rehab assignment as he eyes return to Mariners from IL stint, slow start

Cal Raleigh hit a grand slam in his rehab assignment with the Tacoma Rainiers on Tuesday, a positive sign for his planned return to the Seattle Mariners from a stint on the injured list and a season-long slump.

Raleigh dug out a low breaking ball on the inside corner and launched it over the right-field wall with the bases loaded in the fifth inning of a 15-3 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes.

The bases-clearing blast was a welcome sight for the reigning MLB home run champion, who was struggling at the plate long before an oblique strain sent him to the injured list on May 14.

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The stint on the injured list is the first of Raleigh's career. He started rehabbing in live games Sunday with High-A Everett and went 1 for 3 with a single. He joined the Triple-A Rainiers for Tuesday's game and delivered for the fans who showed up to watch the slugging Mariners All-Star.

The Mariners are hoping it's a sign of things to come when makes his return to the big-league club. Per MLB.com, Raleigh is expected to return to the Mariners on June 16 for a homestand against the Baltimore Orioles , barring any setbacks.

Raleigh led the majors with 60 home runs in 2025, topping Kyle Schwarber , Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge in a thrilling home run race. Raleigh's breakout helped the Mariners to the AL West crown and a trip to the ALCS.

His start to the 2026 season has been one of the most disappointing in baseball. In 41 games before landing on the IL, Raleigh was slugging .161/243/.317 with 7 home runs and 18 RBI. His slump including an 0-for-38 streak at the plate.