MLB Star Struck in Face by 102.7 MPH Line Drive

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby suffered a frightening injury Tuesday night after being struck in the face by a 102.7 MPH line drive. The incident occurred during the fifth inning of the Mariners’ home game against the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park.

Mariners Pitcher George Kirby Injured by Line Drive

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The play unfolded when Orioles infielder Ramón Urías connected with a fastball and sent it hurtling back toward the mound. Kirby, a 27-year-old All-Star, had little time to react and was hit directly in the jaw by the ball. The ball ricocheted off Kirby and landed in the glove of first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who recorded the final out of the inning.

Despite the alarming impact, Kirby remained conscious and walked to the dugout under his own power, although blood was visibly pouring from his mouth. The Mariners’ medical staff immediately attended to the MLB star and, despite taking it like a pro, he did not return to the game.

Kirby Offers Update Following Scary Moment

With his pitch count already at 95 according to ESPN, it was unlikely Kirby would have continued pitching beyond the fifth inning, regardless of his injury. After the game, Kirby gave a surprisingly upbeat update on his condition.

“It didn’t even hurt, honestly,” Kirby said, according to MLB.com. “It got my hand — like 50/50, hand/mouth, but we’re good. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

While the initial outcome seems promising, Mariners interim manager Dan Wilson provided an update on Kirby on Thursday afternoon, stating that Kirby would undergo further medical evaluation to rule out any serious injury.

“You just don’t know, sometimes, how those things go,” Wilson said. “Because you have a lot of adrenaline going at the same time. But was just glad, I’m really happy that and hoping things turn out OK. And it could have been something way worse.”

Kirby is no stranger to health setbacks. The pitcher missed the entirety of April and most of May due to a shoulder issue.

“We did an MRI,” Mariners General Manager Hollander announced in a press conference at the time. “The MRI looks great. No structural concerns whatsoever. There is some inflammation in there that we need to get out. So, much to George’s chagrin, we’re going to take the ball out of his hands. George wants to keep going, and he’s going to lose this argument.”