Konnor Griffin took his first steps toward a return on Sunday, playing seven innings while batting 1-for-3 with two strikeouts with Double-A Altoona. The 20-year-old shortstop is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on Sept. 4 and Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the team is optimistic about Griffin's chances of returning that day.
In Sunday's rehab game, Griffin was called out on strikes in his first at-bat while facing Erie left-hander Carlos Peña. He registered an infield single in the fourth and struck out in his final plate appearance.
Griffin tore his left ring finger sagittal band in a game against the Nationals on July 5 while diving up the middle for a ground ball. He was diagnosed with the injury and placed on the IL on July 7, then was transferred to the 60-day IL four days later.
Since his injury on July 5, Pittsburgh shortstops Jared Triolo and trade acquisition Jacob Gonzalez, have combined to hit .225 with a .591 OPS. In the eight games between injured list stints -- he missed nearly all of June with a right elbow strain -- Griffin batted .306 with six stolen bases and a 115 wRC+.
Griffin ramped up his rehab in recent weeks by facing the Trajekt machine and performing one-hand swings with a splint still on the finger. He no longer needed the splint after consultation with doctors on Aug. 16, six weeks after the injury.
Griffin headed for Florida on Aug. 19 when the team embarked on a nine-game road trip, and worked his way up to enter game action in Altoona on Sunday. Both Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis head on the road this upcoming week, with the Curve traveling to Harrisburg and the Indians going to Toledo.
General Manager Ben Cherington said Sunday on his weekly 93.7 The Fan segment that Griffin would return to Pittsburgh Monday to be evaluated and decide the next steps of where he’ll go in rehab.