Mariners’ Cal Raleigh a late lineup scratch; catcher Jhonny Pereda called up

Ominous news for the Mariners a half hour before what was supposed to be a cheerful evening surrounding Randy Johnson’s number retirement.

All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh was a late scratch from the Mariners’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park. Mitch Garver replaced Raleigh in the lineup.

The club did not provide a reason for Raleigh’s status change.

It is certainly noteworthy, though, that a few minutes after Raleigh was formally scratched the Mariners called up veteran catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma.

Pereda, 30, is the only other catcher on the Mariners’ 40-man roster, other than Raleigh and Garver.

In a corresponding roster move, infielder Will Wilson was placed to the injured list with a fractured left thumb.

This story will be updated.