PITTSBURGH -- Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin won’t start in Thursday’s series finale against the Cubs at PNC Park due to right forearm soreness. Griffin remains available off the bench and is considered day to day.
Pittsburgh called up infielder/outfielder Tyler Callihan from Triple-A Indianapolis and sent down Esmerlyn Valdez (No. 9 prospect) to add infield depth prior to the game. Jared Triolo started at shortstop in Griffin’s absence Thursday. The move of Valdez going down was likely to come soon, as outfielder Ryan O’Hearn nears a return from the injured list.
Griffin was available to the media during the regular pregame clubhouse time and participated like normal during batting practice. The 20-year-old is batting .261 with a .716 OPS through 49 games in his highly anticipated rookie season. He became the youngest Pirates player since 1952 to bat leadoff on Tuesday.