The Seattle Mariners are set for their series finale against the Kansas City Royals, featuring the return of rookie pitcher Logan Evans and All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh behind the plate.
Right-hander Logan Evans has been called up from Triple-A Tacoma to start Thursday’s 7:10 p.m. game, while lefty reliever Joe Jacques has been sent back to the Rainiers to make space. The Mariners announced Evans as the starter after their 3-2 win over Kansas City on Wednesday night.
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Raleigh will catch for Evans after getting Wednesday off. The star switch-hitting catcher, who leads MLB with 33 home runs, was officially named the American League’s starting catcher for the July 15 All-Star Game in Atlanta earlier that day. It marks Raleigh’s first All-Star selection and makes him just the second catcher in Mariners history to earn the honor, joining manager Dan Wilson, who was selected in 1996. Raleigh also enters Thursday’s game as the reigning AL Player of the Month, announced Thursday morning.
Evans, a 12th-round pick in the 2023 draft from the University of Pittsburgh, debuted with the Mariners on April 27. In seven starts this season, he’s 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts against 12 walks. His standout performance came on May 27, when he pitched eight innings of one-run ball in a 9-1 victory over the Nationals.
He was sent back to Triple-A the next day as George Kirby returned from injury, and made one more MLB start on June 10, giving up four runs in five innings during a 10-3 loss to Arizona. At Triple-A this year, Evans has gone 1-3 in seven starts, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.
Jacques, who was just called up Wednesday, didn’t appear in a game before being optioned back. The 30-year-old sidearmer has pitched in 25 major league games since 2023, mostly with the Red Sox. He was filling in for Emerson Hancock, who was optioned after another tough outing on Tuesday.
Seattle’s Thursday lineup features left fielder Randy Arozarena hitting cleanup behind Raleigh. Kansas City counters with Seth Lugo on the mound.
Radio coverage for Thursday’s game begins at 6 p.m. on Seattle Sports. The Mariners will then quickly shift to a 1:10 p.m. Fourth of July day game on Friday to kick off a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That day’s pregame show starts at noon.
