The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin on the 10-day injured list after a right forearm flexor strain failed to clear quickly enough for regular duty.
Griffin had been dealing with soreness after the issue surfaced while throwing earlier this week. Pittsburgh initially cleared the 20-year-old to hit and serve as designated hitter, while keeping him away from throwing. The move to the injured list removes one of the club’s most dynamic bats and its regular shortstop as the Pirates continue their push in a tight NL Central race.
Griffin has produced an immediate jolt since reaching the majors, batting .270 with four home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs and 14 stolen bases through his first 50 games. His May surge made the timing especially painful: Griffin hit .301 with a .359 on-base percentage, .452 slugging percentage, nine extra-base hits and 19 runs during the month.
Pittsburgh can cover shortstop with Jared Triolo in Griffin’s absence, though replacing Griffin’s speed and growing offensive presence presents a larger problem. His recovery timetable will become one of the Pirates’ most important injury watches entering June.
