Mariners' Kirby hit by line drive, exits with bloody mouth

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby was hit in the face by a line drive in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Kirby walked off the field under his own power with a bloody mouth.

(Video source: MLB.com)

The liner came off the bat of Orioles third baseman Ramón Urías, who was retired on the play after the ball ricocheted off Kirby to Mariners first baseman Rowdy Tellez for an easy putout.

Following the game, Kirby said he was OK, adding that the ball hit his right thumb as well.

"I didn't even hurt, honestly," Kirby said, according to MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. "It got my hand - like 50/50, hand/mouth, but we're good. There's nothing wrong with it."

Manager Dan Wilson added the righty will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

Eduard Bazardo replaced Kirby in the top of the sixth inning.

Kirby's outing was his strongest since returning from the injured list despite the uncomfortable ending. The two earned runs he allowed were his fewest since making his season debut May 22.

The 27-year-old right-hander pitched to a 3.53 ERA (105 ERA+) and 1.07 WHIP across an MLB-high 33 starts in 2024.