Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh quipped that he was ready for things to go back to normal, while speaking with reporters for the first time since the All-Star break.

When the Mariners unveiled how they’d roll out their rotation for this weekend’s huge series vs. Houston to start the second half -- opting for Luis Castillo, then rookie Logan Evans, with Sunday marked as TBD -- it evoked more perplexity than anything.

In 2001 when I came I didn’t feel like this was the first time being in America playing baseball. ... So it was a great start to coming to Seattle,” he said.

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The Mariners Platinum Glove-winning backstop had an eventful All-Star Break, which included a Home Run Derby championship.

The Houston Astros return from the All-Star break in Seattle against the Mariners, who are five games back in the AL West.