The Seattle Mariners have reinstated starting pitcher George Kirby from the 15-day injured list. After being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation during spring training, Kirby will make his season debut today against the Houston Astros. In a corresponding move, Troy Taylor was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
George Kirby Set for Season Debut Against Astros
Kirby, a first-round pick by the Mariners in the 2019 draft, has quickly become an important piece of one of the best rotations in baseball. By 2021, Kirby was the number 5 prospect in the Mariners organization and the 91st overall prospect in all of baseball.
He first broke into the majors in 2022 and impressed as a rookie, pitching to a 3.39 ERA in 25 starts. In 2023, he earned his first all-star selection and finished 8th in the American League Cy Young award race. 2024 was statistically the poorest season of Kirby’s young career, but his numbers were still excellent, pitching to a 3.53 ERA in 33 starts.
Before his debut, Kirby was known to have exceptional command. Kirby’s strikeout rate is just above league average at 23.3%, but what’s more impressive is his ability to avoid walking batters. Since he broke into the majors, nobody in baseball has been able to limit walks the way Kirby does. His 3.1% walk rate is the lowest amongst all starters, and is almost 5% under the league average. Since his debut, only Chris Martin owns a lower walk rate as a qualified reliever.
The Mariners are getting Kirby back at a good time, as Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller are both currently on the 15-day injured list. The club currently sits at the top of the A.L. West at 28-20, and will kick off a four-game series against the second-place Astros tonight. Kirby will join Luis Castillo and Bryan Woo as the centerpieces of the rotation until Gilbert and Miller return.
Main photo credit: © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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