The Seattle Mariners made a significant roster move on Friday, June 20, 2025, activating outfielder and first baseman Luke Raley from the injured list while designating veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment. This decision came ahead of their series opener against the Chicago Cubs at the iconic Wrigley Field, signaling a shift in the Mariners' lineup as they look to regain momentum in the 2025 MLB season.
Luke Raley, 30, had been sidelined since April 29 due to a Grade 1 right oblique strain sustained during pregame batting practice. Before his injury, Raley's performance had been modest, batting .206 with two home runs and a .669 OPS across 24 games. However, his 2024 campaign told a different story, where he was one of Seattle’s most productive hitters, posting a .243 average with 22 homers and a .783 OPS over 137 games. After a successful rehab stint at Triple-A Tacoma earlier this week, where he went 7 for 19, including a massive home run and a double, Raley is poised to make a meaningful impact upon his return.
In contrast, Rowdy Tellez, also 30, has been the casualty of this roster crunch. Signed to a minor league deal in February, Tellez earned an opening-day roster spot after a strong spring training. Yet, his season performance was underwhelming, hitting .208 with 11 home runs and a .682 OPS in 62 games. Despite moments of power, including a memorable grand slam during an April series in Toronto where he homered in three consecutive games, his overall production did not meet the Mariners’ expectations. Additionally, Tellez had been playing through discomfort in his wrist and hand, which may have impacted his consistency at the plate.
Manager Dan Wilson expressed his appreciation for Tellez’s contributions, saying, “It’s always tough when you lose a guy and you know obviously what Rowdy did for us, we really appreciate what he has meant to our group here at the beginning of the season and you know just what he meant in the clubhouse, on the field, the energy with which he played. He was a great member of the family and it’s tough to lose him.”
Wilson also highlighted the versatility and readiness of Raley, who is expected to split time between the outfield and first base. “Luke is a versatile player,” Wilson said. “With Raley coming back it’s a way to get Luke on the field a lot and get him back playing and so that’s what was a big part of the decision.” Raley had appeared in five games at first base earlier this season and played 41 at the position last year. His rehab games in Tacoma also included two appearances at first base, indicating his flexibility will be a valuable asset for the Mariners moving forward.
The Mariners have opted to keep veteran first baseman Donovan Solano and outfielder Dominic Canzone, forming a platoon at first base with Raley and Solano. Solano, 37, endured a tough start to the season, batting just .133 through his first 26 games. However, he has turned things around impressively, hitting .323 over his past 15 games, providing stability and experience on the right-handed side of the platoon. Meanwhile, Canzone, 27, was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma last week and has made an immediate impact, hitting .259 in 27 at-bats, including a mammoth 450-foot homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks. His hot streak, with hits in six of nine games and an OPS of .778 since rejoining the club, has given the Mariners a potent left-handed bat in the outfield.
Wilson praised Canzone’s recent performance and the difficult decisions the team faced. “These are never easy decisions. You weigh a lot of different things. But I think Dom has swung the bat well in his time and has made some changes and so I think that was a factor for sure. But these are tough ones.”
Rowdy Tellez, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 270 pounds, is a career .232 hitter with 116 home runs and 346 RBIs over 726 games with the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Mariners. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Seattle this February, and while he showed flashes of power, his strikeout rate (49 strikeouts to 8 walks) and batting average left room for improvement. Due to his accrued service time, Tellez can reject an assignment to Triple-A Tacoma and opt for free agency if he clears waivers or is not traded, a likely scenario given the Mariners’ roster needs.
Raley, on the other hand, is a career .235 hitter with 46 home runs and 123 RBIs in 334 games spanning stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Mariners. His strong performance during rehab, batting .368 with a homer and three RBIs in five games at Tacoma, has boosted expectations for his return. Though he did not start in Friday's game against Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, Solano took the first-base duties, with Wilson noting that Raley will be used frequently against left-handed pitching. “Yeah I mean that’s something that keeps him on the field and I think Luke has done a good job against lefties and puts up a real good at-bat,” Wilson said. “Obviously we’ll see how (it goes) as we progress and in the beginning here we have to make sure we let him get a little bit of a runway as he gets back. He is at 100% but getting his legs and the rest of his body back to where you are comfortable every day and that’s going to take a little bit of time and that’s kind of what we are focused on at this point.”
Raley himself expressed eagerness to return to the field. Speaking before Friday’s game, he said, “I mean it stinks to have to watch on TV and stuff like that. It’s just not as fun you want to be with your team and your guys. It’s tough to just sit there and watch at home.” He added that he felt good after his rehab stint and was ready for whatever role the team asks of him. “Yeah I feel like my swing is good. Obviously the pitching (at the minor league level) is a little bit different, but I think that my timing is pretty good and I was able to kind of jump right back into things.”
The Mariners’ decision to activate Raley and designate Tellez reflects a strategic move to balance versatility, recent performance, and roster flexibility. With the season well underway and the Mariners striving to improve their standing, this roster shift could provide a much-needed boost. Fans will be watching closely as Raley resumes his role and Canzone continues his hot streak, while Tellez’s future in the majors remains uncertain.
As the Mariners face the Cubs in Chicago, the baseball world awaits to see how these changes will influence the team’s trajectory in the competitive American League West. One thing is clear: the Mariners are betting on a dynamic mix of youth, experience, and versatility to navigate the challenges ahead.
