Mariners Place Struggling Catcher Cal Raleigh on 10-Day IL with Oblique Strain

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh's disappointing season took another turn Thursday when the team placed the 29-year-old on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain.

Raleigh left the Mariners' 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros that night after appearing to aggravate an injury on his right side. It marks the first injured list stint of his six-year career. He missed three games from May 2 to May 4 due to right-side soreness.

Raleigh had snapped the majors' longest hitless streak Tuesday in a 10-2 win over the Astros. He broke an 0-for-38 slump with two singles.

Last season brought a dream campaign. Raleigh hit .247 with 60 home runs and 125 RBI in 159 games. That total broke Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez's single-season record of 48 homers by a catcher. Raleigh also topped New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle's mark of 55 for most home runs in a season by a switch-hitter. He set the Mariners' franchise record, passing Ken Griffey Jr.'s previous standard of 56.

This year tells a different story. In 41 games, Raleigh is batting .161 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, four doubles, 18 walks and 16 runs scored. His average ranks second-lowest in the majors among qualified hitters, ahead only of Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins at .150.

The Mariners recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma to take Raleigh's spot on the active roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.