Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver reacts after getting hit with a foul ball during a game against the Cleveland Guardians on June 15 at T-Mobile Park. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners Catcher Mitch Garver Exits Game Against Minnesota Twins

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Teren Kowatsch | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 7:37 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners may have taken a big hit to the roster in a series finale against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday.

Mariners backup catcher and Thursday's starter Mitch Garver exited the game in the bottom of the fifth after being hit with a foul ball. Twins right fielder Matt Wallner ricocheted a ball into the jaw of Garver. The latter was checked on by trainers before he headed to the clubhouse.

Mitch Garver is leaving the game after taking a foul tip off an awkward spot on his jaw.

Cal Raleigh will move from DH to catcher, meaning the M’s are losing the DH spot in the lineup.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) June 26, 2025

The team's typical starting catcher and Cal Raleigh took over at catcher from his designated hitter spot following Garver leaving the game.

Garver was 1-for-2 with a double and a strikeout before he was pulled.

There was no word or report during the game on the severity of Garver's injury or if he's expected to miss an extended period of time. It was just the third game for Garver since June 20. He was hitting .300 (3-for-10) with two home runs, three runs and five RBIs on the team's current road trip.

No. 2 on the day, No. 100 on the career! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/h0xFsEF2VQ
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 20, 2025

Seattle doesn't have a third catcher currently on the active roster. Infielder Leo Rivas was the team's emergency catcher in situations like Thursday, but was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on May 31.

If Garver is out for an extended period of time, the Mariners could bring up top 100 prospect Harry Ford from Tacoma or Blake Hunt, another catcher currently on the Rainiers roster.

Garver has scored 13 runs in 45 games this season. He's hit four doubles and three home runs with 16 RBIs and is slashing .213/.319/.320 with a .639 OPS.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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