Seattle Mariners' All-Star Provides Optimistic Outlook After Shoulder Injury
The Seattle Mariners won't have All-Star pitcher George Kirby when they break camp and head north for the regular season next week. Kirby was shut down on March 7 with right shoulder inflammation and just threw for the first time since then on Friday.
Though he figures to miss anywhere from 3-5 starts this April, Kirby told the media that he is putting an optimistic spin on things.
Per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710:
“It might be a situation where guys who got five or six more starts than I did, I might be feeling a little better in October,” Kirby said. “I’m just excited for when that happens.”
#Mariners Notebook: George Kirby took an important first step in his rehab process, Logan Gilbert was the unlikely winner in a race to the first-base bag, and more.
— Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) March 22, 2025
(via @shannondrayer)https://t.co/jXK65sWbBt
As long as Kirby makes it through the entire season without further issues, there's certainly a chance that what he's saying happens. The Mariners' starters threw the most innings of any team in baseball last year, so getting a little extra rest can be a good thing. Kirby has made 64 combined starts in the last two seasons and has topped the 190-inning mark both years, so you always do worry about overuse.
Just 27 years old still, Kirby is a former first-round pick of the Mariners from the 2019 draft. He made his major league debut in 2022 and has proven to be one of the best pitchers in the American League. Lifetime, he's 35-26 with a 3.43 ERA.
Emerson Hancock will take his place in the rotation at the start of the year.
The Mariners open play on March 27 at home against the Athletics.
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