PEORIA, Ariz. — Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby is expected to miss the start of the season due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. Mariners’ General Manager Justin Hollander disclosed that Kirby will likely sit out the initial 10 days to two weeks.
Thankfully, an MRI confirmed that there is no structural damage to Kirby’s shoulder. Hollander remarked that while the pitcher has been maintaining good pitching velocity, he has struggled to recover effectively after each pitching session. This led the team to conduct an MRI.
The Mariners intend to rest Kirby to allow the inflammation to subside. He will undergo another evaluation in a week.
“Our priority is ensuring a successful season for him overall, rather than focusing solely on Opening Day,” Hollander emphasized.
Kirby, who is 27 years old, demonstrated remarkable consistency last season, starting 33 games – a tie for the major league lead. His performance included a 14-11 record, a 3.53 ERA, and an impressive tally of 179 strikeouts against 23 walks over 181 innings. Additionally, he was named to the AL All-Star team in 2023, with 31 starts and a 13-10 record featuring a 3.35 ERA.
