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Mariners Announce George Kirby News Before Astros Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated May 21, 2025 5:23 PM ET

Before the season began, MLB.com ranked the Seattle Mariners pitching staff as the fourth best in the sport. The Athletic ranked the Mariners starting rotation as the third best in baseball.

The Mariners finished tops in Major League Baseball last year in earned-run average and fourth the year before that. Arms are, by far, the biggest reason some prognosticators tabbed Seattle to win the American League West and make just its third postseason appearance since 2001.

While the Mariners sit 11th in MLB in ERA through the middle part of May, things haven't quite lived up to expectation, even if Seattle leads the West by three games over both the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, both teams that have World Series wins in the last half-decade.

The good news for Seattle - after a couple weeks of bad - is that their star slinger is set to finally debut.

Right-hander George Kirby will pitch for the first time since opening in the season on the injured list because of right shoulder inflammation. Kirby carried a 3.53 earned-run average and 1.068 WHIP in 33 starts for the Mariners last year. The year before, he finished top-10 in AL Cy Young Award voting. Both seasons, he led the American League in fewest walks per nine innings.

"It’s always great getting your guys back and getting them healthy,’’ Wilson said. “I know it’s been a long road for George since spring training and you put the work in, you do your rehab assignments and mentally you are ready to go and physically you are ready to go, so it’s great to have him back and we are excited to get him back."

The timing couldn't be better, what with the Mariners' lead over the Astros being the size it is and with Houston heading to Seattle this week. Plus, two other starters - righties Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller - remain out of commission for likely another couple weeks dealing with their own injuries, as well.

Kirby's addition clarifies Wilson's rotation plans for the week. Emerson Hancock slots in Friday, Bryan Woo on Saturday and Luis Castillo on Sunday before the team's off day Monday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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