Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) warms up in the bullpen before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park on June 3. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners' All-Star Hit in Face By Line Drive, Leaves Field with Bloody Lip

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 11:21 PM ET

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby left Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles after being hit in the face by a line drive at the end of the top of the fifth inning.

Pitching against Ramon Urias, Kirby was hit by a 102.7 mph comebacker. The ball appeared to hit part of his glove, before catching his face. The ball ricocheted to Rowdy Tellez, who got the out at first base, and Kirby left with a bloody lip. Kirby did not come back to pitch the sixth inning, but his night was likely over anyways, as he threw 95 pitches in his third start back from the injured list.

George Kirby struck in the mouth by a comeback hit...
Luckily, he gets a hand on it, but it still causes damage@Mariners pic.twitter.com/OmNUqVPyK2
— Russell Hartness (@RussellHartness) June 4, 2025

Big yikes here in Seattle, as George Kirby was just hit by a 102.7 mph comebacker and is bleeding from his mouth.

The play yielded the third out here in the top of the 5th inning, and he immediately receded into dugout tunnel with the Mariners' athletic training staff. pic.twitter.com/fbZMpoBkOr
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 4, 2025

Kirby allowed two earned runs on eight hits before leaving. He walked one and struck out three. He's missed most of the season because of shoulder inflammation but came back on May 22.

At the time of his departure, the Mariners were trailing 2-1. Eduard Bazardo replaced Kirby and allowed a run in the top of the sixth as well.

There likely won't be any new information on Kirby until after the game concludes, and we'll bring you the latest information when it's out.

The Mariners and Orioles will be back in action on Wednesday night with first pitch coming at 6:40 p.m. PT. Right-hander Emerson Hancock will pitch for Seattle against left-hander Cade Povich.

Hancock is 2-2 with a 5.64 ERA this year. He's helped fill the gap left by Kirby's absence, as well as Logan Gilbert. Povich is 1-4 with a 5.29.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: