Kirby is going to need multiple rehab starts after missing the first month-plus of the 2025 season with shoulder inflammation. The 27-year-old has been a strong fantasy option over the last few years, and he should be back with Seattle — assuming all goes well in those rehab outings — by the end of May.

The Mariners are hopeful that Kirby can make a rehab start shortly, and Dipoto told reporters that the right-handed hurler will need at least two of those outings with a possibility of a third. Assuming no setbacks, the 27-year-old should be back pounding the strike zone for Seattle in the coming weeks, and is obviously a fantasy get in leagues where fellow fantasy managers didn’t have patience/roster room.

Kirby told reporters Tuesday that he “felt great” afterwards and could potentially progress to a minor league rehab start this weekend. He’s going to require several rehab outings to build up his stamina and pitch count prior to his season debut. The 27-year-old righty is making his way back towards rejoining Seattle’s rotation mix by late May or early June.

As long as he rebounds well from that outing, he’ll be cleared to face live hitters his next time out. Kirby is still going to require a long buildup before he’s ready to join the Mariners’ rotation, but the 27-year-old right-hander is definitely making strides in the right direction.