Pirates Make Roster Moves Before Home Opener

In order for their superstar prospect to make his MLB debut, the Pittsburgh Pirates had to make room for him on the 40-man active roster.

Feb 25, 2026; North Port, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Enmanuel Valdez (47) bats in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during spring training at CoolToday Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made the move everybody has been waiting for since Spring Training began. The organization waited all of six games into the season to call up the 19-year-old sensation and the team’s top prospect, Konnor Griffin.

The former ninth-overall pick of the Pirates is set to make his debut in front of a sold out PNC Park crowd in the team’s home opener Baltimore Orioles.

In order to make room for Griffin on the team’s active 40-man roster, they had to make one more roster move. That resulted in infielder Enmanuel Valdez being designated for assignment, as the team announced ahead of their home opening contest.

ROSTER MOVE: The Pittsburgh Pirates today selected the contract of infielder Konnor Griffin from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Infielder Enmanuel Valdez was designated for assignment to make room for Griffin on the 40-man roster.

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 3, 2026

What’s Next for Valdez

With this move, Valdez can expect to head to the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians. The 27-year-old Valdez is in his second season with the organization after playing in 31 games with the MLB club and a handful of games with Indianapolis in 2025.

Last year, Valdez also spent time outside of the MLB, and it’s possible that could happen again. It’s possible he needs to look for a new job, now that his spot on the 40-man roster has been taken by the top prospect in the Pirates' system.

Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (75) runs to second base on a two-rbi double against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Griffin Set for Electric Debut

The 19-year-old Griffin is now set to don the Pirates uniform and make his debut. The shortstop is a five-tool player who projects to be a future MVP of the National League, and now Pirates fans and the rest of the MLB will get their first glimpse of the burgeoning superstar.

He’s set to occupy the shortstop spot when he takes the field against the Orioles, and he’ll join some impressive company along the way. Last year, starting pitcher Paul Skenes became the youngest starter in Pirates’ Opening Day since 1893, as he started the first contest at just 22 years old.

Griffin becomes the first teenager to make the Pirates lineup in this millennium, and he comes with one of the most anticipated debuts in years. The last Pirates teenager to receive playing time at the MLB level in regular season action was third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who played 34 games during the 1998 season. With Griffin's early callup, he could be in line to play over 100 games if he can find consistency and success at the MLB level. The Pirates will be careful with their top young player, but the excitement is palpable entering their first series at home.

Unfortunately, that excitement comes at a cost for Enmanuel Valdez.

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