PITTSBURGH – Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin is expected to miss 8-10 weeks after being placed on the 10-day IL with a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger. The 20-year-old suffered the injury in Sunday’s game against the Nationals on a diving attempt at a single up the middle in the third inning.
Griffin told reporters after the game that the finger was fine but after checking with the medical staff and a hand specialist, the imaging identified a tear. The band stabilizes the extender tendon, and is a connective tissue that reinforces the support.
“There was a bunch of options that were discussed and presented to Konnor and team through the physicians,” Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk said. “The best choice is non-operative care, the six weeks of splint and immobilization to make sure that this can properly heal and that it can return to the high function.”
Griffin, the ninth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, already missed about a month this season with a right forearm strain. Since returning June 26, he's hit .306 with a .776 OPS. On the season, he's hitting .276 with five homers, 20 steals and a .736 OPS.
“It's a punch in the gut,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Konnor is a huge part of the team.”
“It's frustrating, more so for him, coming back off of injury the first time in the big leagues. I don't want to say got off to a slow start, but for his standards, got off to a slow start and turned 20, and then just turned it on, and has been doing great, and really been a big part of our success. He's just had a couple tough [injuries] here at the beginning, and I know that he'll be stronger after going through it.”
Griffin is not the only key Pirates bat to join the Injured List. Spencer Horwitz and Oneil Cruz have also missed time and are not expected back until after the All-Star Break.
Jack Brannigan will be activated from the Taxi Squad to replace Griffin’s spot on the active roster. Jake Mangum will take up the majority of the time in the leadoff spot, and Jared Triolo will fill in at shortstop.
Griffin won’t be expected back until at least September, when Pittsburgh hopes to still be in the postseason race.