Konnor Griffin injury confirms Pirates fans' worst fears after weird lineup delay

Pittsburgh Pirates fans spent Thursday afternoon wondering why it was taking so long for the team to announce the lineup for that night's series finale against the Chicago Cubs. The speculation practically wrote itself, and the answer was unfortunately the one that no one wanted.

Konnor Griffin is dealing with right forearm soreness, and while the Pirates consider him day-to-day, the mere mention of forearm soreness attached to the franchise’s 20-year-old centerpiece is enough to send the fan base into a spiral. Griffin underwent testing as a precaution, and a team source told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he remained available Thursday despite not starting.

It's a relief that this is not being framed as a major injury. But it's still Konnor Griffin. So, naturally, Pirates fans are going to panic.

Griffin has become too important too quickly for any injury update to feel routine. Through his first 49 Major League games, he's batting .261 with four home runs, 21 RBI and 12 stolen bases. He has already changed the way the Pirates’ lineup feels in the present while also giving them a legitimate building block around whom they can sell their future.

That is why the delayed lineup suddenly made sense. Jared Triolo started at shortstop in Griffin’s place, with Nick Gonzales at third base. If Griffin misses any time, even briefly, that alignment appears to be the short-term answer. Triolo can handle shortstop, Gonzales can continue getting reps at third and the Pirates can try to survive without disrupting too much.

Pirates option Esmerlyn Valdez, recall Tyler Callihan to replenish bench after Konnor Griffin injury update

The corresponding roster move added to the intrigue. Pittsburgh recalled Tyler Callihan from Triple-A Indianapolis as an infield/outfield depth piece and optioned Esmerlyn Valdez back to Triple-A. Callihan’s versatility is noteworthy, as he has played left field, third base, second base and right field at Indianapolis.

Callihan gives the Pirates a flexible bench option while they monitor Griffin. Still, the larger story is Griffin himself. Valdez’s first taste of the majors was brief, and Ryan O’Hearn is progressing from his quad strain, but none of that compares to the anxiety created by Griffin’s status.

The Pirates can say day-to-day. They can say precautionary testing. They can say he was available. All of that may be true, and it may ultimately prove to be nothing. But after a weird delay in announcing the lineup, Pirates fans feared something was wrong.

With Griffin, they were right to worry.

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