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Jack Brannigan to Make MLB Debut, a Top Add Head of Call-Up?
Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Jack Brannigan has a locker room in the team's major-league clubhouse and is expected to be recalled from Double-A Altoona on Thursday, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Brannigan will get his first major-league call-up after hitting .231/.347/.517 with an .864 OPS, 11 home runs, 21 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Altoona. Per MLB Pipeline, the 25-year-old 6-foot, 201-pounder is the team's No. 22 prospect. Injuries have been an issue in Brannigan's minor-league career, but when he's healthy, he has an interesting mix of speed and raw power, and he's also athletic on the infield at third base and shortstop. Brannigan will need to cut down on his strikeouts at the big-league level if he wants to find an everyday role. For now, he's an intriguing prospect to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he's expected to come off the bench for the Bucs.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
Konnor Griffin Starting Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly said that rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Wednesday, according to Alex Stumpf. Griffin has been on the 10-day injured list with a strained right forearm, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could rejoin the Pirates' starting lineup this weekend or early next week. When the 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in 2024 is cleared to return from the IL, he will return to serving as the club's everyday shortstop. Griffin was touted as the league's next can't-miss prospect in spring training this year, and while he hasn't exactly been elite, he has more than held his own in 2026 in his first 51 major-league games, slashing .270/.327/.402 with a .729 OPS, four home runs, 22 RBI, 14 steals, and 30 runs scored across 208 plate appearances. Griffin really started to figure it out in 25 games in May before his forearm injury, going 30-for-98 (.306) at the plate with two homers, seven doubles, a triple, nine RBI, seven steals, and 20 runs scored in 108 plate appearances.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Konnor Griffin Trending Toward Rehab Assignment as Pirates Eye Early July Return
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) is expected to begin rehab games within the next week, according to general manager Ben Cherington, assuming his progression continues without setbacks. Griffin has been sidelined since May 31 with a right forearm strain and has been working through his throwing program while rehabbing in Florida. The 20-year-old was beginning to heat up before the injury, hitting .317 over a 15-game stretch, which raised his season line to a .270 AVG and a .729 OPS. Expectations are sky-high for the first-round pick in the 2024 draft, as he is expected to return around early July.
Source: Colin Beazley
Source: Colin Beazley
Konnor Griffin Advancing in his Throwing Program
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) saw Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas on June 2 and began throwing plyometric balls on June 7, according to MLB.com. He started throwing from 90 feet on June 10 and extended to 150 feet with no pain while rehabbing in Florida. Griffin was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 31 with a strained right forearm, but if he can avoid any setbacks as he continues to ramp up, he could rejoin the big-league roster by late June. The 20-year-old will eventually need to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment before the Pirates reinstate him from the IL, but he figures to be back before the All-Star break next month if everything goes according to plan. Before his forearm injury, the former ninth overall pick in 2024 was holding his own in his first 51 big-league games, slashing .270/.327/.402 with a .729 OPS, four homers, 22 RBI, 14 steals, and 30 runs scored across 208 plate appearances. Griffin really started to figure things out in May, going 30-for-98 (.306) with two homers, seven doubles, a triple, nine RBI, seven steals, and 20 runs scored in 25 games. He entered the 2026 campaign as a can't-miss prospect, and he has looked the part.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Konnor Griffin Will Continue Rehab in Florida During Pirates' Upcoming Road Trip
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow/forearm) is headed to the team's complex in Florida to continue his rehab during the team's upcoming west coast road trip, per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com. Griffin has been on the 10-day injured list since late May due to a flexor strain in his throwing arm. While Griffin looks to be making some progress, he does not appear to be on the verge of a return to the Pirates lineup just yet. The 20-year-old got off to a solid start to his first season in Pittsburgh before the injury, hitting .270/.327/.402 with four home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. Given his importance to the Pirates' long-term outlook, the team could choose to be extra cautious with his recovery. In Griffin's absence, Jared Triolo has taken over as Pittsburgh's everyday shortstop.
Source: MLB.com - Aiden Stepansky
Source: MLB.com - Aiden Stepansky
Konnor Griffin Progresses to Throwing from 90 Feet on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow) made throws from as far as 90 feet on Wednesday and "felt fine," per DK Pittsburgh Sports. The young shortstop has been on the 10-day injured list since late May due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. Across 208 plate appearances before the injury, Griffin hit .270/.327/.402 with four home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. While it's a positive sign that the 20-year-old has resumed throwing, it appears he will need a bit more time before he's ready to return to the Pirates lineup. Upon his return, Griffin profiles as a high-upside bat with five-category production potential for fantasy managers. In his absence, Pirates infielder Jared Triolo has received the majority of the team's playing time at shortstop.
Source: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Source: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Konnor Griffin to Resume Throwing on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow) said the plan is for him to start throwing again on Wednesday, according to Pirates reporter Jason Mackey. Griffin is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, with no timetable for a return, but it's good news that he's already been cleared to resume throwing the baseball. The 20-year-old phenom isn't going to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible, and he could be out for an extended period of time. Until Griffin can return from his elbow injury, Jared Triolo should be the Pirates' primary option at shortstop. The former ninth overall pick in 2024 didn't make the Pirates' Opening Day roster, but it wasn't long before he was called up to make his major-league debut in 2026. Griffin hasn't posted eye-popping numbers, but he has more than held his own in his first 51 big-league games, slashing .270/.327/.402 with a .729 OPS, four home runs, nine doubles, two triples, 22 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 30 runs scored across 208 plate appearances. Despite a potential lengthy absence, Griffin remains rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Konnor Griffin is Looking at Extended Absence
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow) is unlikely to be back in the lineup anytime soon. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentioned on Sunday that Griffin is looking at a "more relaxed timetable" in his recovery. The 20-year-old has been out since the end of May due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. Griffin has been taking grounders, but hasn't been throwing the ball at all. The team will continue to evaluate him, but it sounds like they'll continue to be cautious with their prized shortstop. It seems possible that Griffin could be sidelined for the rest of the month. He'll still need to go on a rehab assignment once he's cleared to hit again. Fantasy managers should continue to hold him and hope he can contribute in the second half of the season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Konnor Griffin Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Forearm Strain
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a flexor strain in his right forearm, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Beazley reports that the Pirates expect Griffin's stint on the injured list to be a "short-term stay". The 20-year-old has gotten off to a solid start to his rookie season, hitting .270/.327/.402 with four home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. Griffin's 26.9% strikeout rate suggests that his batting average may come down a bit over the course of the season, but his elite speed should continue to help his batting average on balls in play. Pirates infielder Jared Triolo started at shortstop in Griffin's place on Sunday and will likely see the majority of playing time while Griffin is on the shelf. Fantasy managers should be stashing Griffin until his return.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Konnor Griffin is Dealing with Forearm Soreness
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) wasn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Griffin sat out of Thursday's contest due to right forearm soreness. This sounds like a day-to-day type of issue, so it remains to be seen if Griffin will suit up for Friday's game versus the Minnesota Twins. Jared Triolo received the start at shortstop on Thursday. He could see a few starts over there until Griffin is ready to play again. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status ahead of Friday's game.
Source: Danny Demilio
Source: Danny Demilio
Now is the Time to Buy Low on Rookie Konnor Griffin
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin was the talk of spring training as one of the best prospects since Ken Griffey Jr. That's a lot of hype to live up to. The 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft hasn't really lived up to the hype through his first 49 games with Pittsburgh, hitting .261/.322/.394 with a .716 OPS, four home runs, eight doubles, two triples, 21 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 29 runs scored across 199 plate appearances. Griffin hasn't been terrible, either, and his buy-low window in both redraft and dynasty leagues could be about to slam shut. He went 1-for-4 at the plate with a home run, his first since May 10, in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. In his last 13 games, he has hit .275 with 13 runs scored and three stolen bases, and it might only be a matter of time before Griffin puts it all together in 2026. In 23 games in May, Griffing is batting .292 (26-for-89) with two homers, six doubles, a triple, eight RBI, five steals, and 19 runs scored in 99 plate appearances. The kid can do it all, and he'll probably never be cheaper as a trade chip in fantasy baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
