The Seattle Mariners just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to their pitching staff this season.
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In just his third start back from the injured list, George Kirby’s outing ended with a major scare Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. But the right-hander indicated postgame that he will be just fine.
With two outs in the fifth inning and Kirby appearing to near the end of his night, Orioles third baseman Ramón Urias hit a 102.7 mph line drive that struck Kirby in the face and deflected all the way over to first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who stepped on first base for the final out of the inning. The ball grazed Kirby’s hand before hitting his face.
Kirby was bleeding from his mouth as he walked back to the M’s dugout on his own strength and immediately went back to the clubhouse with a member of the training staff.
After the game, Kirby said “it didn’t even hurt” and that he was hit “50-50” in the hand and face.
Kirby said his right hand (thumb) and face got hit “50/50” and he was okay. When evaluating his pitching he said he felt good, executed much better, and (with a laugh), “Was glad to see another day.”
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 4, 2025
“I didn’t even see it coming, just put my hand up,” he said. “So, just glad it kind of missed any of the bad spots on my face.”
Manager Dan Wilson said Kirby will undergo further evaluation Wednesday.
“That’s always a scary moment,” Wilson said. “It’s just so close, and you just hope for the best.”
Eduard Bazardo, who had already been warming up in the bullpen, came in to relief Kirby the following inning. Kirby was at 95 pitches at the time, so he was likely coming out of the game after the fifth regardless of the incident.
Kirby struck out three and allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk in what was his best start since returning from the IL on May 22.
Kirby missed the first eight weeks of the season after being shut down in spring training with right shoulder inflammation.
Bryce Miller also recently returned to Seattle’s rotation off the IL, but the club is still awaiting the return of Logan Gilbert. Gilbert, who went on the IL with a flexor strain in his pitching elbow in late April, is scheduled to make his second rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.
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