Kirby fired three scoreless innings in a Cactus League win over the Athletics on Sunday, allowing three hits and a walk while recording six strikeouts.
The promising right-hander followed one of his main competitors for the No. 5 starter role, Matt Brash, and matched the latter's three scoreless frames and six strikeouts. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Kirby was working out of the bullpen for the first time since his stint in the Cape Cod League in 2018, and after escaping some first-inning trouble, he put together an impressive body of work. Kramer notes Kirby is still likelier to open the season in the minors due to the fact his arm is less built up than Brash's, but there's little doubt the 2019 first-round pick's major-league debut will occur at some point in 2022.