Konnor

Griffin

Griffin is currently on the injured list with a right flexor tendon strain, and while testing revealed that his absence will be longer than anticipated, it is positive news that the 20-year-old will be able to toss the ole baseball back and forth. The Pirates aren’t going to take any chances with Griffin, and fantasy managers should be prepared to be without the infielder for the long haul.

It turns out that Griffin is dealing with a “flexor mass muscle strain,” which means the location of his injury has changed. Cherington said that, given the exact spot of the injury, the team is going to be more cautious with their top prospect’s return. On the positive side, Griffin is asymptomatic at this point, but there are no further details about his return other than that it will be a bit longer than originally expected.

The Pirates are calling the injury minor and expect Griffin to miss only the minimum amount of time on the injured list. The 20-year-old phenom has hit .270/.327/.402 with four homers, 22 RBI and 14 stolen bases through his first 208 plate appearances with the Pirates. Ryan O’Hearn was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Griffin still managed to make a significant impact, despite being limited to DH duty due to right forearm soreness, as he recorded the first multi-steal performance of his career. The 20-year-old prodigy delivered a run-scoring single to cap off a three-run opening frame for the Pirates as part of a multi-hit effort. He certainly hasn’t looked like a rookie in recent weeks, hitting .301 (28-for-93) with two homers, nine RBI and seven steals since May 1.

Griffin was available off the bench but didn’t make an appearance during Thursday’s series finale against the Cubs. Pirates manager Don Kelly said afterwards that Griffin suffered the injury while throwing recently and they hope it’s nothing serious. The 20-year-old rookie phenom, who is hitting .292 (26-for-89) with two homers, eight RBI and five steals since the start of May, will be reevaluated prior to Friday’s series opener against the Twins. It’s doesn’t sound like a serious concern, but the Pirates aren’t going to take any chances with their potential franchise cornerstone.

The Pirates don’t believe the injury is anything serious and Griffin will be available off the bench on Thursday. Jared Triolo will start in his place at shortstop and will bat eighth for the Bucs against Cubs’ right-hander Colin Rea.

Horwitz finds himself atop Pittsburgh’s lineup card for the third time in their last four games with Konnor Griffin getting the nod in the other contest. The 28-year-old first baseman has been swinging it well for a couple weeks, slashing .309/.397/.505 with four homers, 20 RBI and one steal over his last 30 games. He’s also drawn 15 walks and struck out only 11 times during that span. He’s certainly earned an extended look as the Pirates’ top-of-the-order table-setter based on his recent production.

It’s finally happened. Griffin will get his opportunity as Pittsburgh’s top-of-the-order igniter during Tuesday’s showdown against the division-rival Cubs after mostly towards the bottom of the order since being called up last month. The 20-year-old prodigy has put together a couple strong weeks in a row, hitting .296/.356/.432 with 16 runs scored, one homer, seven RBI and five steals in 21 games since the start of May. He’ll pick up a few additional stolen base opportunities out of the leadoff spot, which is nice bonus for fantasy managers.

Fans tuning in to MLB Sunday Leadoff on Peacock will miss out on seeing one of the most exciting rookies in the game as the 20-year-old shortstop is getting a breather in this one. Jared Triolo will start in his place at shortstop and will bat ninth for the Bucs against Blue Jays’ right-hander Dylan Cease on Sunday afternoon in Toronto.

It’s happening for Griffin. He ignited rallies in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings by starting each with a single and scored a run in all three. Plus that, he had the hardest hit ball in this game at 111.2 mph on his second inning single. Again, it feels like it’s all coming together for the 20-year-old Griffin. He now has a hit in 18 of his last 20 games and raised his .213 batting average and .573 at the start of this stretch to a .278 BA and .738 OPS after this game. We’re still waiting on the power with just three home runs through 43 games played, but he looks like the budding star we expected to see.