Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh, both key players for the Seattle Mariners, appeared to have a tense encounter during the World Baseball Classic game between Mexico and the United States on Monday night at Houston’s Daikin Park. Their interaction raised questions about potential friction between the two All-Stars despite being teammates in Major League Baseball.
The incident occurred in the very first inning when Arozarena came up to bat against the American squad, with Raleigh catching. Arozarena extended his hand for a greeting, but Raleigh declined the handshake, leading to a brief and somewhat awkward exchange between them. This unusual moment stood out during the high-profile international matchup and sparked widespread speculation about the reasons behind Raleigh’s refusal to reciprocate the gesture.
Details and Speculation Surrounding the Exchange
This was not the first time Arozarena experienced such an interaction in the World Baseball Classic. In the 2023 tournament, his attempt to fist bump USA catcher Will Smith was also declined, although that incident provoked fewer strong reactions. Observers speculated online that the current incident could have stemmed from Raleigh’s concern about Arozarena possibly having pine tar or another sticky substance on his hand, which would be illegal if transferred to the pitcher’s hand.
Such substances can improve a batter’s grip but are prohibited for pitchers. Some fans theorized that Raleigh avoided the handshake to prevent contaminating the ball when returning it to USA pitcher Paul Skenes. Despite these theories, Arozarena chose not to comment on the presence of pine tar after the game, leaving the true cause ambiguous.
Post-Game Comments Add to the Drama
After the USA’s 5-3 victory, Arozarena addressed the situation in a postgame interview conducted in Spanish, which was later shared by Our Esquina on social media. The footage revealed Arozarena expressing frustration about Raleigh’s behavior, stating Raleigh said “good to see you” without shaking his hand. Following that, Arozarena used expletives and remarked that Raleigh could
“stick his ‘good to see you’ up his behind.”
Despite the strong language, Arozarena also praised Raleigh’s parents, suggesting some of the remarks might have been made in jest.
The seriousness of Arozarena’s comments remains uncertain, but the exchange certainly adds complexity to the relationship between these Mariners teammates amid international competition.
Potential for Resolution and Upcoming Games
It remains unclear whether this incident will have lasting effects once both players return to the Mariners’ clubhouse. Mariners manager Bob Melvin and other team members have yet to publicly address the situation. The tension might subside if Raleigh provides any clarification before Team USA’s next World Baseball Classic game against Italy scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Mexico is also set to face Italy in its final pool game on Wednesday at 4 p.m., which means the two Mariners stars will go their separate ways competitively for at least a little longer. Observers and fans will watch closely to see how the players interact afterward and whether the drama impacts team dynamics moving forward.
Latest Updates from Seattle Mariners and WBC
Aside from the Arozarena-Raleigh incident, Mariners news continues with updates on players like Bryce Miller, who is taking positive steps toward returning to the field. Reliever Wilcox has made notable impressions in recent outings, while teammates such as Canzone have showcased their talent, including a memorable second-deck home run in the baseball classic.
Manager Wilson and others closely follow the performances of Mariners participating in the WBC, balancing international pride with future team cohesion. The current tournament presents both opportunities and challenges for players juggling national and club loyalties.
Cal Raleigh refuses to shake hands with his Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena pic.twitter.com/YpTxhHmH9P
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 10, 2026
Mexico star Randy Arozarena was upset that his Mariners teammate Cal Raleigh left him hanging Monday at the plate.
Arozarena complimented Raleigh’s parents before using Cuban & then Mexican expletives before saying Raleigh could stick his “good to see you” greeting up his behind. pic.twitter.com/koPADffhdu— Our Esquina (@OurEsquina) March 10, 2026
