PITTSBURGH -- The wait is over. Konnor Griffin was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday to play his first Major League game since suffering a torn sagittal band in his left ring finger against the Nationals on July 5 while diving up the middle for a ground ball.
Griffin is in the lineup and playing shortstop for Pittsburgh in the series opener against the Angels Friday night. Christian Bethancourt was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man and active roster. In addition, the club optioned left-hander Brandon Eisert and recalled right-hander Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis.
“I feel good,” Griffin told reporters Thursday morning. “I think all the rehab stuff went well. So if they're ready to activate me, I'll be ready to go.”
“It’s kind of like that little shot in the arm, man. He's an impact-type player that we get at a point that we need some impact players,” veteran Brandon Lowe said. “And I think the biggest thing is that he doesn't put too much pressure on himself to come back and never get out or do anything wrong, and it's just the presence, the ability that he has to come back. It's a welcome addition into this lineup.”
Griffin will return to a Pirates team in need of a strong September to snap a 10-year postseason drought, the longest in the National League. Friday was his first day eligible back.
The 20-year-old was diagnosed with the injury and placed on the IL on July 7 (retroactive to July 6), then was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 11. 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, about six weeks after the injury.
When Griffin took the splint off, he had higher grip strength numbers than expected. Griffin said it’s been good to see how quickly his body has recovered from injury.
Griffin headed for Florida on Aug. 19 around when the team embarked on a nine-game road trip, and worked his way up to enter game action with Double-A Altoona on Sunday. He went 1-for-3 and returned to Pittsburgh for evaluation before joining Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday in Toledo.
With Triple-A, Griffin played two games and returned to Pittsburgh on Thursday for reevaluation before his eventual activation. It was Griffin’s second IL stint.
Pirates manager Don Kelly said pregame Friday that Griffin would be eased back into action and move around to different spots in the batting order.
“Great for everybody. Team, fans, for Konnor -- most importantly -- to get back up,” Kelly said. “And really pumped to have him back here at shortstop and in the lineup.”
After missing most of June with a right forearm strain, Griffin returned for eight games where he batted .306 with six stolen bases. Now, Griffin has a chance to finish out his rookie season with similar success.
“It’s been driving me nuts just watching games on my phone and stuff,” Griffin said. “So it will be fun to finally be back in there competing.”