2 weeks agoPer 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.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ryan Divish
3 weeks agoSeattle 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.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Shannon Drayer
4 weeks agoSeattle 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
6 months agoSeattle 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.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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