Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby was dominant on Sunday in a 3-2 win against the Angels, striking out 14 batters over seven innings. He allowed two runs on two hits, which came on a Taylor Ward home run in the fourth inning. This start certainly put any worries to rest about Kirby taking a step back following his injury, as this was the most strikeouts he's tallied in a game in his career. The matchup against the Angels certainly helped, but it's clear that the 27-year-old is ready to step back into his role as a real-life and fantasy ace. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next start, which is set to be another good matchup against the Guardians.

Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher George Kirby (jaw) is listed as Sunday's starter when the Mariners face the Los Angeles Angels. In his last start, Kirby was struck by a comebacker. However, the right-hander avoided a significant injury and is in line to make his next scheduled start. In his last start, Kirby logged five innings of two-run ball against the Orioles. He struck out three batters and allowed one walk and eight hits. Through 13 2/3 innings this season, Kirby has held a high 8.56 ERA with a 1.83 WHIP. Kirby dealt with right shoulder inflammation during the early part of the campaign and has struggled to find his footing early on. However, last summer, Kirby held a 3.53 ERA with an impressive 1.07 WHIP across 191 innings of work. He will be a strong play in DFS facing the Angels on Sunday.

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Tuesday that he expects starting pitcher George Kirby (face) will be "OK" after getting hit in the face by a line drive in a 5-1 loss to the Orioles. Wilson said that Kirby was able to get his hand on the baseball before it hit his face and that the Mariners should know more on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more news as to whether the 27-year-old will take his next turn in the rotation at the Angels. He has only made three starts this season due to right shoulder inflammation, so it remains to be seen if the Mariners take extra precautions with him.

In a scary scene on Tuesday in the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, Mariners right-hander George Kirby (face) left the game with two outs in the fifth inning after taking a 102.7 mph comebacker from Orioles infielder Ramon Urias off the side of his face. The ball actually ricocheted to first base for the final out of the inning, but Kirby was bleeding from his mouth and was pulled. The good news is that the 27-year-old was able to walk off the field under his own power, but he'll undoubtedly undergo testing to see if he has a concussion or any other serious injuries. Before leaving, Kirby had allowed two earned runs on eight hits while walking one and fanning three in five innings. At the very least, Kirby will be in danger of missing his next start after getting a late start to the 2025 season with another injury. He could also land on the injured. Stay tuned.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby struggled in a 9-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday. Kirby allowed five runs on six hits over 3 2/3 innings of work while striking out four and walking one. The veteran hurler was making his season debut after missing the first two months of the season with right shoulder inflammation, so his less-than-stellar start can be forgiven. When he's on, Kirby has been a very good fantasy starter and should return to those standards once he gets a few more starts under his belt. Fantasy gamers shouldn't hit the panic button just yet.

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced on Wednesday that right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) will come off the 15-day injured list and make his 2025 season debut on Thursday in Houston against the Astros. Wilson said the rest of the team's starting rotation will slot in behind Kirby, with Emerson Hancock starting Friday, Bryan Woo going on Saturday, and Luis Castillo taking the hill on Sunday. The skipper also said that Kirby will likely be on a 75-80-pitch limit in his first start of the season in Houston. The matchup against the Astros isn't terrible, but the 27-year-old will have a limited fantasy ceiling and lower floor than usual, especially after giving up four runs on 10 hits in four innings in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Tacoma last Friday. Kirby deserves to be rostered in all fantasy leagues as a control artist with limited strikeout upside.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) made his third minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday night and allowed four earned runs on 10 hits (two home runs) while walking none and striking out four in four innings pitched. While the results weren't all that great for Kirby in this one, the primary takeaway is that he didn't suffer any setbacks with his shoulder and hit 97.5 mph with his four-seam fastball. The 27-year-old hasn't been a big strikeout guy to this point of his career, but he's useful in fantasy for his pinpoint control, and he has yet to walk any of the 21 batters he's faced so far on his rehab assignment. Kirby is getting closer to making his 2025 season debut, but he only threw 64 pitches on Friday night, so it would make sense for the M's to give him one more rehab start. If Kirby is available on your league's waiver wire, pick him up now.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) said he will make another minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Tacoma on Friday at Triple-A Albuquerque, which will potentially put him in line to make his 2025 debut with the Mariners next Thursday in Houston against the division-rival Astros. In his second rehab start with Tacoma on Saturday, Kirby gave up three runs on four hits while walking two and striking out five in three innings. The 27-year-old looked sharp, though, with his fastball topping out at 97.6 mph while he mixed in his splitter and knuckle curve. He threw 36 of his 54 pitches for strikes. Kirby was initially shut down on March 7 with right-shoulder inflammation in spring training, which led to his first career stint on the IL to begin the season. While Kirby's strikeout rate leaves something to be desired, he's one of the best at limiting walks in the big leagues and should be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) will make his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday and will make one more rehab start after that, according to general manager Justin Hollander. Kirby is getting close to being ready to make his 2025 season debut after looking sharp in his first rehab assignment with Tacoma on Sunday, allowing an earned run while walking none and striking out four in three innings. The 27-year-old topped out at 97.8 mph with his sinker in his first game action since Feb. 26 in spring training. Kirby was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and hasn't had an ERA above 3.53 in any of his first three MLB seasons. He's a control artist with a mediocre strikeout rate, but Kirby should be rostered in all fantasy leagues with his 2025 debut coming sooner than later in the month of May.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) made his first minor-league rehab start on Sunday for Triple-A Tacoma and allowed just one earned run on a solo homer while walking none and striking out four in three innings of work. It was the first time that Kirby had taken the mound since Feb. 26 in spring training due to a right-shoulder injury. The 27-year-old was able to throw 33 of his 42 pitches for strikes while topping out at 97.8 mph. Barring a setback with his shoulder injury, the Mariners are expecting Kirby to need only two or three rehab starts before he comes off the 15-day injured list for his 2025 season debut. The former 20th overall pick in 2019 out of Elon University was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and hasn't posted an ERA over 3.53 in any of his three MLB seasons. Kirby has impeccable control but a below-average 23.3% strikeout rate. Still, he needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said that the team is "hopeful" they'll see right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) back with the team by the end of May. Dipoto said the plan for Kirby is to make "at least two, maybe three" minor-league rehab starts. Kirby could start his rehab assignment as early as this weekend if he's feeling good, so his 2025 season debut is on the horizon. The 27-year-old was forced to start the regular season on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder that initially cropped up in spring training in March. Although fantasy managers would like to see more with Kirby's strikeout rate, his impeccable control alone makes his rosterable in all leagues when he's healthy. He was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in his second MLB season and went 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 179:23 K:BB in 191 innings (33 starts) a year ago.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (shoulder) felt great after completing his bullpen session on Monday and is expected to throw again on Sunday. After the session, Kirby noted that he "felt great" and described his session as "nasty." Fantasy managers should monitor his status over the week, as Kirby could be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment this weekend. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since the start of the campaign due to right shoulder inflammation. While the right-hander will need to increase his workload significantly before being in contention to return to the majors, this was a great step in the right direction. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Kirby in all standard formats as he will carry solid SP2 value in all formats when he returns. Last summer, Kirby held a 3.53 ERA with a stellar 1.07 WHIP across 191 innings of work.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (shoulder) is slated to throw live batting practice on Monday. This will be the first time he faces live hitters since being shut down with this shoulder injury in March. The 27-year-old was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status after his session, as this is an important step in his recovery process. If he continues to perform well, he could eventually be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in the coming weeks. Last season, the right-hander held a strong 3.53 ERA with an impressive 1.07 WHIP across 191 innings of work. While he only tallied 179 punchouts, his elite control gave him significant value in all formats. When he does return, he will carry a solid SP2 value as he should improve your WHIP ratio.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder), who has been away from the team for almost a full month due to right-shoulder inflammation that caused him to be shut down in early March, is scheduled to face hitters for the first time in a live batting practice at T-Mobile Park this week, a source told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. The 27-year-old has thrown multiple bullpen sessions at the team's spring training facility in Arizona but is now ready to face live hitters. When Kirby began throwing on March 21, he was hopeful for a late-April return, but now it's looking like he won't make his 2025 season debut until May or June. Until then, the M's expect to continue using right-hander Emerson Hancock in their starting rotation. Fantasy managers need to continue being patient with Kirby and keep him stashed in an injured-list spot in all formats.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) "felt great" during a bullpen session over the weekend, according to general manager Justin Hollander. Kirby will throw two more bullpens this week and then start a more traditional game progression. The Mariners don't have an official timeline for Kirby to make his 2025 season debut, but it sounds like May is more likely at this point. The 27-year-old started the year on the injured list after being diagnosed with inflammation in his right shoulder back in early March in spring training. It caused most fantasy managers to pass on the former first-rounder in drafts, but he's been making good progress and might only have to miss the first month of the season. Kirby is an elite control artist and will be valuable in all fantasy leagues once he's healthy, but he's also sported a below-average strikeout rate in his three big-league seasons.

The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish reports that Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) played catch in camp on Friday. Kirby was diagnosed with right-shoulder inflammation on March 7, and this is the first time he's thrown a ball since then. It's progress, but the 27-year-old will still open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. However, barring a setback now that he's throwing again, he may not miss much time and could make his season debut by mid-April. While Kirby should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues despite the fact he won't be ready for the start of the season, the injury certainly makes him a little less attractive in fantasy drafts this weekend for a pitcher that has had a below-average strikeout rate in his three major-league seasons. Stash him as a No. 3/4 fantasy starter to begin the year.

Per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, Seattle Mariners' starting pitcher, George Kirby (shoulder), hopes to resume throwing in a few days. Kirby was shut down by the team earlier this month after experiencing shoulder inflammation that stemmed from his second spring training outing. While he has yet to begin playing catch, he's reportedly continued his lower body and core conditioning while resuming arm-strengthening exercises. It's a critical step for the 27-year-old as he attempts to work his way back to the mound. "I'm hoping to get back up there by the middle of April," said the former first-round pick. Kirby was superb in 2024, authoring one of the lowest walk rates in the league (3.0%). Fortunately, it appears he won't miss too much time. The righty is still going off the boards inside the top 100 of fantasy drafts and, more often, inside the top 75.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (shoulder) received a biologics injection in his right shoulder on Thursday afternoon. The team hopes this injection will help Kirby return to strengthening activities in three to four days. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status. Even though he is expected to open the season on the injured list, he may not face an extended absence. Last summer, the 27-year-old logged a career-high 191 innings and held a 3.53 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. He tallied 179 punchouts and posted a stellar 3.0 percent walk rate. He generated an above-average 3.44 xERA which suggests he could see some positive regression during the 2025 season. While he is sidelined during the start of the campaign, Emerson Hancock will likely join the starting rotation.

Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder) has been dealing with right-shoulder inflammation and underwent an MRI exam that showed no structural damage, according to The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. Kirby has been shut down from throwing in camp despite his wishes and will start the 2025 regular season on the injured list. This is very worrisome for a starting pitcher that RotoBaller had ranked at No. 10 at his position, although if any team is equipped to handle the loss of a high-end starter, it would be Seattle. The good news is there's no structural damage in the 27-year-old's arm, but that doesn't mean that his shoulder won't become an issue later on this year once he comes off the IL. Kirby has had a below-average strikeout rate but has made up for it with impeccable command. His injury should open up a rotation spot for right-hander Emerson Hancock early on.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby kept his team's playoff hopes alive with six strong innings in Wednesday's 8-1 victory over the Astros, allowing one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six on the way to recording his 14th win of the season. It was the 26-year-old's third straight quality start and 20th of the year out of 33 starts. The righty finishes the season 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 20.1% K-BB% thanks in part to an elite-level 3.0% walk rate. The 26-year-old has now posted three consecutive seasons of sub-4.00 ERA (and sub-4.00 SIERA) to start his career along with excellent command, proving he's one of the brightest young arms in the game and managers should expect similar results in 2025.