Mariners Injury Update: Fans breathe sigh of relief at George Kirby's recovery timeline

Even when the Seattle Mariners announced on March 7 that George Kirby had to be shut down with inflammation in his throwing shoulder, the news wasn't all bad.

Because an MRI found no structural damage in the 2023 All-Star's right shoulder, the implication was that he wouldn't be sidelined for too long. The latest update on Kirby's recovery is similarly encouraging and features a tangible return target straight from the man himself.

“I’m hoping to get back up there by the middle of April,” Kirby said, as Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported on Tuesday.

How soon will Kirby be able to help the Mariners?

The caveat with this update is that the 27-year-old Kirby has yet to resume throwing. That's the next step in his recovery, though he's already checked off two boxes by getting a biologics injection and getting a green light to resume arm strengthening exercises.

Kirby last pitched in a competitive capacity on February 26, when he made his Cactus League debut against the Athletics. Once he is ready to start throwing, he'll have to remain in Peoria to keep working at the Mariners' complex and presumably get into some extended spring training games.

Yet if Kirby does achieve his goal to return by the middle of April, it won't be a moment too soon.

After playing 13 of their first 16 games at home in Seattle, the Mariners will be on the road for 15 of their next 20 contests between April 15 and May 7. Mariners fans may still have some trauma lingering from when the team played away from T-Mobile Park in 2024, as it went just 36-45 on the road compared to 49-32 at home.

Filling in for Kirby in the meantime will be fellow righty Emerson Hancock. Though he's been trying something a little different this spring, his 5.59 ERA is a little too reminiscent of the 4.71 ERA he has in 15 starts with the Mariners across the last two seasons.

Kirby has been one of the more effective pitchers in the American League dating back to 2022. He's made 89 starts and compiled a 3.43 ERA, notably with 7.6 times as many strikeouts as walks.

Other updates of note: Mitch Haniger and Troy Taylor

Also in Divish's report is an update on Haniger, who hasn't played in a Cactus League game since March 8 because or soreness in his left shoulder.

The 34-year-old designated hitter was back in uniform on Tuesday for pre-game work prior to the Mariners' exhibition against the Milwaukee Brewers at Peoria Stadium. But since he's still not ready to play in games, Divish writes that there is a "strong possibility" that Haniger will begin 2025 on the injured list.

Taylor, meanwhile, was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Wednesday. The righty reliever is recovering from a lat strain suffered during the offseason and, though he will start the season on the IL, could also be back sometime in April.

After fanning 25 batters in 19.1 innings in 2024, the 23-year-old Taylor will bring upside to the Mariners bullpen when he's healthy. The pen needs as much upside as it can get, though getting Matt Brash back in April won't hurt either.