Top Seattle Mariners Exec Jerry Dipoto Gives Positive Updates on Injured Pitchers
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The Seattle Mariners were one of the most injury-ravaged teams in baseball entering Thursday. The Mariners have used 37 players this season — second in the major leagues behind the Atlanta Braves. But a recent update from Seattle's top executive could mean a turn in fortune is near.
In an appearance on MLB Network on Friday, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said that the team was optimistic about All-Star starting pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby both returning in the next 30 days.
"We're hopeful that we're gonna see both this month," Dipoto said. "Which is a little better than we had thought initially. George starts his rehab assignment — we believe it's gonna take at least two minor league starts, perhaps three. Logan's gonna be a little bit behind that but we think they're both going to return sometime before the end of May if everything goes the way it's currently planned."
Kirby has been shut down since March 7 due to right shoulder inflammation and began the season on the 15-day injured list. He had a live bullpen session on April 28 that he described as "nasty." He had a 3.53 ERA in 33 starts in 2024. He struck out 179 batters across 191 innings pitched.
George Kirby's New Cutter. pic.twitter.com/9NugusXWu5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 26, 2025
Gilbert was pulled after three innings pitched in his last start against the Miami Marlins on April 25 with right forearm tightness. MRIs showed a Grade 1 right elbow flexor strain on April 26 and placed on the 15-day injured list. He has a 2.37 ERA this season in six starts and has fanned 44 batters in 30.1 innings pitched.
Logan Gilbert, Ridiculous Back-to-Back Splitters. 🥴 pic.twitter.com/IISpjZEKqw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 8, 2025
Seattle had seven pitchers start games all of 2024 and has already matched that number this season. Kirby will be the team's eighth starting pitcher of the year when he makes his season debut. Health hasn't been a strength for the Mariners this season, but it looks like the starting rotation will soon be back at full strength.
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