Seattle Mariners starter George Kirby (68) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at T-Mobile Park in 2024. Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Here's How Many More Minor League Rehab Starts Seattle Mariners' George Kirby Will Need

Originally posted on Minor League Baseball on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated May 9, 2025 6:30 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners are getting closer to seeing George Kirby back on a major league mound.

According to general manager Justin Hollander, Kirby will pitch on Saturday at Triple-A Tacoma. At that point, they'll anticipate that he'll need one more rehab outing before getting back into the big-league rotation. He's been shut down since March 7 with right shoulder inflammation.

Adam Jude of the Seattle Times opines that the earliest we could see Kirby is in the May 22-24 series at the Houston Astros.

George Kirby is scheduled to make his second rehab start for Tacoma tomorrow, and he’ll have one more after that, per Justin Hollander.

If all goes well, Kirby could he activated toward the end of the M’s next road trip. (Best guess here is he’s back in Houston, May 22-25.)
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) May 9, 2025

Kirby made his first rehab start last Sunday for the Rainiers, tossing three solid innings. He threw 42 pitches, striking out three and giving up just one run. When he returns to the rotation, it's likely that prospect Logan Evans gets sent back down to Tacoma, but that determination will be made as Kirby gets healthy.

In addition to missing Kirby, the M's are also missing Logan Gilbert, who is out with a Grade 1 flexor strain. The Mariners are reportedly hoping to get him back in the rotation by mid-June and he could throw a bullpen by the end of this six-game homestand.

An All-Star in 2023, Kirby is 35-26 lifetime with a 3.43 ERA. He went 14-11 a season ago.

Seattle enters play on Friday night at 22-14 and in first place in the American League West, leading the A's by three games. They'll start a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at 6:38 p.m. PT.

Luis Castillo pitches against Kevin Gausman.

This article first appeared on Minor League Baseball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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