SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are currently in their best stretch of the season despite not being at full strength.

The Mariners entered Wednesday on an eight-game win streak, had a 2.5 lead for first place in the American League West and secured consecutive series wins against the Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets, respectively.

Absent from Seattle's active roster during that run has been superstar catcher Cal Raleigh.

The 2025 American League MVP finalist has been on the injured list with a right oblique strain since May 14. Raleigh had been dealing with that ailment since the first week of May. He missed several games to start the month but returned to the lineup and attempted to through it in the ensuing week-and-a-half, which resulted in him tweaking it in a series against the Houston Astros and landing back on the shelf.

Recent updates with Raleigh had been positive. He returned to Seattle from the club's spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz., on Sunday and has been in the clubhouse for the entirety of the series against the Mets.

Since returning, Raleigh has caught bullpens, made throws around the bases from behind home plate and has taken swings in the batting cages.

"He's gonna continue his baseball progression and some of the baseball stuff," Mariners manager Dan Wilson said before the series finale against New York on Monday at T-Mobile Park. "I think we'll be looking here, while we're away, to perhaps find his way to some rehab games and we'll kind of see. I'm not sure exactly where that stands yet. But, they're taking it carefully to be sure. All of it is pointing to good news."

Less than two hours after Wilson made those comments, it was revealed that Raleigh was ahead of schedule than what was made known at the time.

It was announced Wednesday that Raleigh will begin a rehab assignment with the High-A Everett AquaSox on June 7. After that game, the 2025 All-Star will play in another rehab game with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on June 9. He'll be reassessed after his game with Tacoma.

Raleigh will serve as a designated hitter with the AquaSox and catch for the Rainiers.

Raleigh has slashed .161/.243/.317 with a .560 OPS in 41 games this season and has hit four doubles and seven home runs with 18 RBIs.

While Raleigh is working his way back, the Mariners will be on the road.

Seattle will have a 10-game road trip from June 5-14. The Mariners will start with a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers from June 5-7, a four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles from June 8-11 and will wrap up the trip with a three-game series against the Washington Nationals from June 12-14.

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