Seattle workhorse right-hander George Kirby is expected to start and make his season debut on Thursday night when the Mariners open a four-game series in Houston. Kirby has been on the injured list since March 24 with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

Seattle’s star-studded rotation lost George Kirby and Logan Gilbert to injury in the early stages of spring, but a major piece of the puzzle returns when the Mariners commence an all-important, four-game series Thursday with their archrivals.

Just in time for a pivotal series against AL West rival Houston, the Mariners are getting back one of their top starting pitchers, right-hander George Kirby.