WASHINGTON D.C. -- On Thursday night in Tacoma, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh homered for the third time in two games with the Triple-A Rainiers, the latest sign that he's hopefully nearly ready to return soon from an oblique strain that has kept him out of the lineup since May 13. 

On Friday afternoon in Washington before the series opener with the Nationals, Mariners manager Dan Wilson was asked if he thought this injured list stint could ultimately serve as a positive for Raleigh, who was hitting just .161 for the season while grinding through the oblique issue.

"I mean, I think so. I mean, I think all of us need resets at some point or another. And I think this could be that for him, and certainly having to work through some physical parts of it as well.

But getting a little bit of time off and coming out from a different lens now, you know, having been on the IL, I think can always be a plus.

So, yeah, I think what we're seeing, at least in the rehab games, is great to hear, great to see. And it sounds like the catching was good for him as well, so well on his way to getting back and being ready."

Raleigh has played three games on his rehab assignment, including one with the High-A Everett AquaSox. 

We caught up on the latest 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast with Rainiers broadcaster Andy Helwig, who spoke more about Raleigh's appearances with the club.

Another way that Raleigh's absence could ultimately benefit him? He's no longer being forced to follow his up historic 2025 season that saw him hit 60 home runs and finish second in the American League MVP race.

He won't hit 60 home runs again, and he probably won't be an All-Star again. He can just come out and play and try to help the Mariners stay in first place in the American League West, which they lead by one game over the Texas Rangers entering play on Friday.

While not official, Raleigh is expected to stay with the Rainiers through the weekend, potentially making his return to the Mariners at the start of the next homestand on Tuesday night.

The Mariners and Nationals will play a three-game series in Washington with game one scheduled to begin in at 3:45 p.m. PT. Bryce Miller is on the mound.

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