A viral interaction between Seattle Mariners teammates Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena has raised speculation about potential conflict between the two. During Monday’s game between USA and Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Raleigh appeared to snub Arozarena during an appearance at the plate.
But on Tuesday, Raleigh denied that there was any contention between the two during a call with Mariners media.
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“There’s no beef. I love Randy. When we are back in Seattle he’s my brother, he’s family, we are all in it together just like I am here with Team USA. I don’t see this being a thing at all,” Raleigh said, via Seattle Sports 710 AM’s Shannon Drayer.
Speculation started after Raleigh appeared to refuse to shake Arozarena’s hand at home plate during the game, which the United States won 5-3. Arozarena, who started in left field for Mexico, held out his hand to Raleigh, the USA catcher, during his at-bat.
Raleigh did not take Arozarena’s hand, instead saying something to his MLB teammate; Arozarena leaned in to hear what Raleigh was saying before eventually going to the plate.
The interaction itself was ambiguous, but some latched on to it as evidence of friction between the two. And then postgame, Arozarena spoke about Raleigh to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert, further fueling speculation. Arozarena said he had a nice interaction with Raleigh’s parents during the tournament before saying that Raleigh should “f*** off” and “go to hell.”
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“The only thing he should be thankful for is having such great parents,” Arozarena said in Spanish, via a translation from The Athletic. “He’s very well educated, thank God. I was lucky enough to see them a few days ago at the hotel. They came over to greet me, gave me a big hug and were genuinely proud to see me again.”
Then, the interview turned. “That ‘good to see you’ that he said to me,” Arozarena said. “He can shove it straight up his a**. I’m out.”
It was unclear whether Arozarena was being serious with his comments. Mariners manager Dan Wilson, however, said that he’s not worried about the dynamic.
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At a spring training news conference on Tuesday, Wilson initially joked about the incident. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said, via The Seattle Times.
He went on to say that he would talk to both Raleigh and Arozarena later on Tuesday.
“These guys are incredible athletes because of their competitiveness, and that’s where they’re at, and that’s why they’ve gotten to the level that they’ve gotten,” Wilson said, via The Seattle Times. “But I also know that our team loves each other deeply. And that’s one of the key ingredients we have in that clubhouse, is how much they love each other, and so I don’t anticipate this being any bit of an issue.
“I’m not concerned,” he added. “This group that we have in this clubhouse is so tight. Like I said, they love each other, and when they get together, it’s go time.”
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Per the Seattle Times, multiple Mariners avoided talking about the interaction on Tuesday, with one saying, “I’m not touching that.” Other made jokes: “How’s it going? Any big news coming out of camp today?” another player said.
The U.S. plays its final pool play game against Italy on Tuesday, though Raleigh is not set to start. Mexico closes out pool play, also against Italy, on Wednesday.
