Mariners' Kirby to make season debut Thursday vs. Astros

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced that pitcher George Kirby will return from the injured list to make his first start of the season Thursday against the Houston Astros.

Kirby has been sidelined since the beginning of spring training with right shoulder inflammation.

"Obviously looking forward to getting George back out there," Wilson said, according to Matt Carlson of The Associated Press. "I know it's been a long road for George since spring training. And you know, you put the work in, you do your rehab assignments, and, mentally, you're ready to go."

Wilson added that Kirby will be limited to around 75 pitches.

The right-hander worked to a 3.53 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with a league-leading 7.78 strikeout-to-walk ratio last year. He was named an All-Star in 2023 and finished eighth in AL Cy Young voting.

The 27-year-old owns a career 3.43 ERA (111 ERA+) across 89 starts.

Kirby's return should help bolster a depleted Mariners rotation that remains without Opening Day starter Logan Gilbert, who's still working his way back from a flexor strain in his right forearm.

Seattle's starting pitchers entered Wednesday ranked 15th in ERA (3.76) after leading all of baseball in 2024.