Seattle Mariners Not Anticipated to Get Luke Raley Back From Injured List on Friday
As the Seattle Mariners prepare to begin a 10-game road trip against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon, it’s unlikely that Luke Raley will return to the lineup just yet.
Despite being close to a comeback from a strained oblique, Raley is not expected to be activated before the series opener at Wrigley Field, according to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. While the versatile player is nearing his return, it’s more likely that he’ll be available by Saturday, especially since the Mariners will be facing tough lefty Matthew Boyd on Friday.
Raley, a left-handed hitter, has not been cleared for Friday’s game. The Cubs might have former Mariner Chris Flexen on the mound for Saturday’s game, which could set up a favorable matchup for Raley.
The 30-year-old, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last offseason, has appeared in only 24 games this season, posting a .206 average with two home runs and eight RBIs. Known for his versatility and power, Raley plays a key role in the Mariners’ offense, and his return is eagerly awaited. It’s expected that he could rejoin the team in the coming days.
In a pregame interview on Tuesday, manager Dan Wilson discussed Raley’s rehab process, and you can find that information here.
Raley has been productive during his rehab stint, going 7-for-19 (.368) with one homer, one double, three RBIs, and three runs scored.
When Raley returns, the Mariners will have some roster decisions to make, particularly regarding players like Dominic Canzone, Donovan Solano, Rowdy Tellez, and Miles Mastrobuoni. One of these players will need to be removed from the roster to accommodate Raley, with only Canzone and Mastrobuoni having remaining options.
The Mariners are set to face the Cubs at 12:20 p.m. PT on Friday.
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