Why George Kirby’s return didn’t go as planned for the mariners

George Kirby’s first game back from injury on Thursday at Minute Maid Park showed the hard truth of what it’s like to return to the majors after an injury. The Seattle Mariners pitcher, returning after not playing all season due to shoulder inflammation, allowed five earned runs in 3⅔ innings as Houston won 9-2.

Kirby’s speed was fine, and his mechanics seemed improved, yet the accuracy and timing he needed to excel as an All-Star in 2023 did not appear.

George Kirby's mechanical struggles highlight rust from an extended absence

Giving George Kirby a longer break influenced both his ability to command pitches and see the game’s overall picture against the Houston Astros. Even though manager Dan Wilson said he liked George Kirby's fastball and bold style, George Kirby fell short when it counted the most.

The struggles were seen in the fourth inning, when Kirby walked Cam Smith after Jake Meyers had singled with only two outs. This approach went against the main reason George Kirby performed well in the past – throwing strikes to hitters who were ahead in the count.

George Kirby made errors in the fourth inning, but they weren’t his only ones. The right-hander usually ended up in counts that helped Houston’s batters during his short time pitching.

His control was off, so he could not end many innings for the opponents. After the game, the Seattle Mariners’ star pitcher explained he faced difficulties when there were two strikes and two outs.

Seattle Mariners rotation depth tested as George Kirby rebuilds confidence

The Seattle Mariners are dealing with some rotation difficulties as George Kirby returns to playing at the level he did last year, when he had a 3.35 ERA across 190⅔ innings. Only playing one game in spring and three more at Triple-A was not enough to get Kirby ready for the majors.

It looks like the Seattle Mariners had more need for a replacement in their rotation than for someone ready to play.Seattle Mariners’ chances in the postseason could improve if George Kirby can return to the pitching form he had last season, where he was tied for the most starts and posted a 3.53 ERA. His medical issue required the team to move slowly, but spending so much time without him has meant a big adjustment. Seattle Mariners should give Kirby enough chances to improve, but not put too much pressure on him to perform right away.Both ROOT Sports Northwest and MLB.TVs are way for fans to watch upcoming Seattle Mariners games. The team begins its next home series this weekend at T-Mobile Park.Also Read: Did the Mets make a mistake signing Juan Soto for $765 millionGeorge Kirby's return represents just the beginning of a longer rehabilitation process that extends beyond physical recovery. The Seattle Mariners and their fans must exercise patience as their former All-Star pitcher rediscovers the command and confidence that previously made him one of baseball's most reliable starters. Thursday's performance, while disappointing, provides a baseline for measuring George Kirby's progress in subsequent outings.