Mariners Face Roster Challenge After Mitch Garver Injury
The Seattle Mariners suffered an unexpected blow during their game against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday, June 26, 2025, when backup catcher Mitch Garver exited due to injury. The incident, which occurred in the fifth inning, had an immediate and significant impact on the team’s lineup strategy, forcing the Mariners to forfeit their designated hitter (DH) spot for the remainder of the game.
Garver was injured while behind the plate when Twins right fielder Matt Wallner fouled off a 94 mph fastball thrown by Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock. The high-velocity foul tip struck Garver’s mask with force, impacting his jaw and cheek area and knocking the mask off. Medical staff attended to Garver before he was removed from the contest. This isn’t Garver’s first run-in with head injuries; he previously missed time with a concussion after being hit by a foul ball while playing for the Twins in 2018.
With Garver sidelined, the Mariners faced a difficult roster decision. Star catcher Cal Raleigh, who was serving as the designated hitter for the game to get a break from catching duties, was required to move from his DH spot into the catcher position to finish the game. Under MLB rules, when a designated hitter enters the game to play a defensive position, the team loses the DH for the rest of the game, meaning the pitcher’s spot in the batting order must now hit.
Losing the DH is particularly impactful for the Mariners, as it removes the dedicated hitting spot typically occupied by one of their key offensive players. With Raleigh, a major league leader in home runs (32) and RBIs (88), shifting to defense, his potent bat was effectively taken out of the specialized hitting role.
Strikingly, this exact scenario played out against the same opponent just last season. On June 30, 2024, also against the Twins at T-Mobile Park, Garver exited a game after being hit by a pitch on the wrist during an at-bat. Cal Raleigh subsequently moved to catcher, forcing the Mariners to forfeit the DH. That prior instance even led to a rare plate appearance for starting pitcher Luis Castillo, who struck out looking in the fourth inning.
Before his exit on Thursday, Garver had gone 1 for 2 with a double. On the season, he holds a .213 batting average with three home runs, four doubles, and a .639 OPS over 45 games.
Potential Roster Moves: Is Harry Ford Getting Called Up?
Garver’s injury immediately raises questions about the Mariners’ catching depth. With only Raleigh and Garver typically on the active roster as catchers, the team may need to make a move. All signs point towards top catching prospect Harry Ford being the likely solution.
Evidence suggesting a potential call-up includes Ford’s removal from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers’ lineup just before their game on Thursday night, where he was scheduled to catch and hit third. Following this, reports emerged that Ford is expected to join the Mariners’ taxi squad while Garver’s injury is evaluated. Conveniently, the Rainiers were playing in Round Rock, Texas, a short drive from Arlington, where the Mariners are set to start their next series against the Texas Rangers.
Harry Ford, a 22-year-old right-handed hitter, is a highly regarded prospect. Drafted 12th overall in 2021, he is currently ranked No. 60 on MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list. Ford has impressed in his first Triple-A season, posting a robust .311/.426/.469 slash line with an .895 OPS in 60 games. His stats include eight home runs, 12 doubles, 43 RBIs, and demonstrating notable plate discipline with 43 walks against only 47 strikeouts. Known for having a “rare amount of athleticism for a catcher” and the ability to drive the ball consistently, Ford appears ready to fill the backup role if Garver requires time on the injured list.
