Mariners probable rotation set to begin the 2025 MLB season

The Seattle Mariners starting rotation has been provisionally announced to open the season, but it does raise a few questions.

With less than a week now to go until opening day, anticipation is only continuing to build for one of the important seasons in Seattle Mariners history. Adding to this, the team has now confirmed their probably starting rotation to begin the 2025 campaign.

The rotation order was announced by the Mariners PR department via social media on Friday. And while there are no surprises as such, it does still raise some questions:

• Thu 3/27: Logan Gilbert
• Fri 3/28: Luis Castillo
• Sat 3/29: Bryce Miller
• Sun 3/30: Bryan Woo
• Mon 3/31: Emerson Hancock

When can the Mariners expect George Kirby back?

The first question relates to the absence of George Kirby and more specifically when he will return for the Mariners? He was diagnosed with shoulder inflammation of his throwing arm earlier in March, and he subsequently wound up on the Injured List.

Even though Kirby’s MRI revealed no structural concerns, he was listed as week-to-week and with a provisional expected return date of early May. This past week he indicated he is hoping to now be back in Seattle around mid-April, but we will of course wait to see, with the Mariners quite rightly taking a cautious approach with the impatient righty’s rehab.

No matter how long Kirby is out, this leads directly to the second question of how Emerson Hancock will perform during his absence? Fair or not, the 2020 sixth overall draft pick has failed to live up to the potential which saw him selected so high in the first place.

Hancock has not exactly provided much cause for excitement during spring training, allowing 19 hits and seven earned runs in 13.2 innings, although he has notched 14 Ks. Last season saw him produce a -0.6 WAR, 4.75 ERA, 5.69 FIP and 1.335 WHIP in 12 starts, and better will be needed from him to compensate for the absence of Kirby.

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A good problem for the M’s to have

A less pressing question surrounds the decision to make Bryce Miller the third starter ahead of Bryan Woo. Yes Miller led all Mariners pitchers with a 3.4 WAR last year, but you can make the case that Woo was the team’s best starter by season’s end.

Again though, this is a less pressing question which also qualifies as a first world problem. If anything, this only highlights just how strong this Mariners rotation is, as arguably the best in the Majors.

Along these lines, the Mariners’ starters combined to lead MLB in 2024 in quality starts, innings pitched, ERA, WHIP, fewest walks and opposing team batting average. More of the same will be needed this coming season, if the team is to contend for a playoff place in October.

Are you in agreement with how the Mariners rotation has been set, or would you move anyone around? In any event, are you concerned about the absence of Kirby to begin the 2025 season? Let us know in the comments section below.