Pirates DFA trade acquisition from Yankees to activate Konnor Griffin

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally have Konnor Griffin back, and one of their recent depth acquisitions is already paying the price.

The Pirates officially reinstated Griffin from the 60-day injured list Friday, designating veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt for assignment to clear the necessary roster spot. Pittsburgh also recalled right-hander Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Indianapolis and optioned left-hander Brandon Eisert.

Bethancourt’s stay on the active roster lasted only a few days. The Pirates acquired the 35-year-old catcher from the New York Yankees in August before selecting his contract when rosters expanded Sept. 1. He served as a third catcher behind Rafael Flores Jr. and Henry Davis, but Griffin’s return made that roster luxury expendable.

Pirates activate Konnor Griffin off 60-day IL in time for desperate September playoff push

The much bigger development, of course, is getting Griffin back at a time when Pittsburgh desperately needs whatever spark its young shortstop can provide.

Griffin had been sidelined since early July with a torn tendon in the ring finger of his left hand, his second IL stint of the season. He previously missed time with an elbow strain, part of an avalanche of injuries that derailed what had been a promising first half for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh was 32-28 at the end of May before Griffin went down the first time. Oneil Cruz, Spencer Horwitz, Endy Rodríguez and Ryan O’Hearn were among the other key hitters who later landed on the injured list.

The Pirates are now 69-72 and five games out of a playoff spot, with four teams standing between them and the final National League Wild Card berth. Their margin for error is essentially gone.

Griffin returns to the Pirates hitting .276/.332/.404. Those numbers may look modest considering his status as baseball’s former No. 1 overall prospect and the massive extension Pittsburgh handed him earlier this year, but Griffin only turned 20 in April. Producing at roughly a league-average level in the majors at that age is hardly disappointing.

More importantly, his return gives the Pirates their preferred shortstop again. Jared Triolo has handled much of the position recently and can now shift back into the versatile utility role for which he is better suited.

Bethancourt, meanwhile, will head to waivers. Because he's out of minor-league options, any claiming team would have to keep him on its active roster. If he clears, he can elect free agency.

For Pittsburgh, though, the move is less about Bethancourt than what his departure represents: the Pirates are finally getting one of the most important pieces of their lineup back for one last desperate September push.

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