A healthy Luke Raley is exactly the offensive savior the Mariners need

The Seattle Mariners are finally getting some promising news on the injury front. Luke Raley, the lefty-swinging outfielder and first baseman, is on the verge of returning to the big-league roster after a solid rehab stint.

While it’s still unclear whether he’ll be activated in time for the series opener against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, there’s a strong chance he’ll be back in action at some point this weekend. Make no mistake, this is a meaningful boost for a Mariners offense that’s struggled mightily, especially from the right field position.

No, Raley isn’t a superstar. However, he’s exactly the kind of difference-maker this lineup could use right now — an established bat who adds value in a platoon role and can give Seattle competitive at-bats from the left side of the plate. Last season, Raley delivered 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a .243/.320/.463 slash line across 137 games, proving to be a steady presence in the lineup. 

Luke Raley’s strong rehab makes him a key reinforcement

With two home runs and eight RBIs already under his belt this season, he’s showing signs of picking up right where he left off. In five rehab games, Raley has posted a .368/.400/.579 slash line with a .979 OPS. He’s recorded seven hits, including a double and a homer, and driven in three runs.

His return also brings a likely shakeup to the current alignment. Raley is expected to slot into right field, which doesn’t bode well for Dominic Canzone, who has held down the position when a right-hander is on the mound the last couple weeks. With Rowdy Tellez and Donovan Solano still occupying first base, the Mariners’ biggest need is in the outfield — particularly in right, where offensive production has been sorely lacking. Slotting Raley back into that corner not only restores a familiar bat but also addresses a clear weakness in the lineup.

To date, Seattle’s right fielders rank third-worst in baseball with a combined 66 wRC+. Compare that to Raley’s 129 wRC+ marks in each of the last two seasons, and the upgrade makes sense. Simply put, inserting a healthy Raley into that lineup could double the offensive output from a position that’s been dragging the team down since Victor Robles went down with a dislocated shoulder in April.

If Luke Raley can give the Mariners league-average or better offense from right field, that alone would represent a massive step forward. And as Seattle continues to cling to contention in the AL West, every small reinforcement counts.