Pirates Make Konnor Griffin Position Change Before Phillies Series
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PHILADELPHIA — The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a four-game series vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park and Konnor Griffin won't play shortstop as he usually does.
Griffin will serve as designated hitter and leadoff for the Pirates in the series opener vs. the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on June 29, after he played shortstop in the 9-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the series finale at PNC Park on June 28.
The Pirates will have Jared Triolo take over at shortstop in Griffin's place, where he'll bat eighth against the Phillies.
It's another move the Pirates are making to manage Griffin and ensures he builds up back to full strength, without risking further injury.
Why the Pirates Have Griffin at DH
The Pirates recently activated Griffin off the 10-day injured list on June 26, as he dealt with a right forearm flexor strain.
Griffin couldn't play shortstop with this injury, as it caused pain when he threw, and forced the Pirates to eventually shut him down, improve his arm again, which led to a throwing program that sent him down to Florida for a week on the team's last road trip.
He did serve as designated hitter for two games against the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park, May 29-30, where he had four hits in nine at-bats, a double, a RBI and two stolen bases.
Griffin could hit and run, which he did vs. the Twins, but the Pirates didn't want to risk further injury and wanted him healthy at shortstop, where he's best suited
The Pirates brought Griffin back after just one game with Double-A Altoona on his rehab assignment on June 24, where he impressed, with a walk, a hit by pitch, an RBI-triple and a two-run home run.
Pittsburgh brought Griffin back early from that rehab assignment, but these breaks or "days off" are preplanned, as they would've worked them in to his rehab assignment if he was still with Altoona.
The Pirates didn't play Griffin in the second game of the series vs. the Reds on June 27, after he started at shortstop in the series opener on June 26, playing all nine innings and hitting a leadoff home run.
Expect the Pirates to keep giving Griffin time off every now and then, as he acclimates to playing shortstop every day.
Pirates Lineup vs. Phillies
Player | Position | Batting Side |
|---|---|---|
Konnor Griffin | Designated Hitter | Right |
Brandon Lowe | Second Base | Left |
Bryan Reynolds | Left Fielder | Switch |
Ryan O'Hearn | First Base | Left |
Esmerlyn Valdez | Right Field | Right |
Endy Rodríguez | Catcher | Switch |
Tyler Callihan | Third Base | Left |
Jared Triolo | Shortstop | Right |
Jake Mangum | Center Field | Switch |
The Pirates keep putting faith into their youngest players with their latest lineup vs. the Phillies, as they hit really well vs. the Reds
Esmerlyn Valdez sticks in at right field and bats fifth, the highest he's hit in the major leagues, after he hit three home runs vs. the Reds, one in each game.
Tyler Callihan moves from left field to third base in place of Nick Gonzales, making his fourth start there this season. Callihan hit a three-run home run in the series finale vs. the Reds and his left-handed bat will play a big role this series vs. the Phillies.
Endy Rodríguez comes back in catcher and will hit sixth, Bryan Reynolds moves back to left field and hits third, while center fielder Jake Mangum moves to ninth in the lineup.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.