Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop phenom Konnor Griffin dominated his first rehab game with a home run and triple.
PITTSBURGH — Konnor Griffin has been on the injured list for 3 ½ weeks, but the Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop phenom didn’t miss a beat in his first rehab game in the minor leagues.
The 20-year-old shortstop played seven innings for Double-A Altoona on Wednesday night and reached base in all four plate appearances. Griffin homered, tripled, walked, and was hit by a pitch as the Curve defeated visiting Reading 8-4 in an Eastern League game.
Pirates manager Don Kelly was informed about Griffin’s big night while meeting with reporters following his team’s 11-1 romp over the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park. Griffin’s strong return to playing seemed to make Kelly just as happy as the Pirates rolling to a victory over the American West League West leaders.
“I guess that doesn’t surprise me,” Kelly said. “He’s a heck of a player. Hopefully, he comes out of it feeling good and healthy.”
Griffin has been on the injured list since May 31 with a right forearm strain.
Griffin is expected to be examined by the Pirates' medical staff on Thursday in Pittsburgh. However, it is not necessarily a foregone conclusion that the 20-year-old will go back to Altoona. The Pirates are at least considering activating Griffin on Friday night before a three-game home series against the Cincinnati Reds.
That decision is out of Griffin’s jurisdiction. However, he was very pleased with how things worked out on Wednesday.
“I feel good,” Griffin told reporters after the game. “It's just taking it easy, not letting a good game dictate it. I'm ready to go. It's more just about getting reps at shortstop, making throws, because that's the most important thing. I don't know what their plan is. I’m just going to take it day by day and enjoy just getting to play when I can.”
Griffin is clearly the franchise’s cornerstone player. Pittsburgh signed him to a nine-year, $140-million contract in April, less than two years after he was their first-round pick in the 2024 amateur draft. Griffin was the Minor League Player of the Year last season.
In 51 major-league games, Griffin is hitting .270/.327/.402 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. Griffin also has three defensive runs saved, though he did make an error for Altoona. The Pirates want to see how Griffin’s forearm rebounds after making throws in a game.
“It's more just about getting reps at shortstop, making throws, because that's the most important thing,” Griffin said.
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