The Seattle Mariners delivered some big news Monday, announcing that both Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor underwent offseason surgeries to finally fix those nagging injuries that haunted them all through 2026. This isn’t just a casual update; both guys are expected to be fully healthy and ready to roll for the start of next season. Knowing what these two battled through explains a lot about what we saw this year, and why next year is gonna be huge for their comeback.
Big Dumper’s Hidden Pain
Let’s talk about our Big Dumper, Cal Raleigh. The man had surgery on his left, non-throwing shoulder to address debridement of his AC joint. Honestly, this shoulder issue might have been the last piece of a disappointing 2026 for Cal. It was already a rough year where he made his first ever trip to the injured list for an oblique strain he tried to power through. Think about that for a second. Playing through an oblique *and* a shoulder issue? No wonder his first half wRC+ was a dismal 72. But get this: he cranked it up to a far better 120 wRC+ in the second half, showing that oblique was probably the bigger initial hurdle. Still, that shoulder trouble, even if we didn’t know the extent of it then, probably played a role in some of his defensive struggles. We’re talking about a guy who makes incredible plays behind the dish, and if that non-throwing shoulder was messing with him, it makes sense. A winter of proper rest and rehab means we can expect our catcher extraordinaire back in much better form.
Naylor’s Wrist Battle and a New Approach
Then there’s Josh Naylor, who had a TFCC repair on his right, non-throwing wrist. This wrist problem was more out in the open early in the year, and it clearly messed with his swing and approach at the plate. The Mayo Clinic says this specific procedure is “minimally invasive” and needs just 1-2 months before getting back to normal. That’s great news, because we saw the impact this injury had. Naylor adopted a more slap-hitting style, and only managed to hit his last two of ten total home runs on August 8th. He tried to adjust, flashing his knack for base stealing and really improving his glovework at first base. But even with those efforts, he didn’t quite meet the mark in his first full season rocking the compass.
What’s at Stake for the M’s in 2027
Both Raleigh and Naylor ended up with a 95 wRC+ for the year. That’s a solid 15-25 points lower than their career averages, where they’ve both been comfortably above-average bats. Think about what the Mariners can do with those two back at peak performance. For 2027, Seattle absolutely needs them to return to those career lines. That’s not just a wish; it’s a necessity for this team to make a proper bounce back and show everyone what we’re really made of. The recovery timeline for Naylor is promising, and Raleigh getting that shoulder cleaned up could unlock his full potential. We’re gonna need both of them healthy and absolutely locked in when the next season kicks off. Get ready, Emerald City, because these fixes mean business for next year!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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