Pirates have 2 obvious September promotions to make while waiting for Konnor Griffin

The Pittsburgh Pirates don't need to treat September roster expansion like an opportunity to conduct a month-long prospect showcase. They still need players who can help them win.

Beginning Sept. 1, active rosters expand from 26 to 28 players, with teams permitted to carry a maximum of 14 pitchers instead of 13. For the Pirates, those two additional spots should eventually belong to Khristian Curtis and Jack Brannigan.

Konnor Griffin's expected return complicates the position-player side of the equation, but only temporarily. The Pirates still list their rookie shortstop's expected return as early September as he ramps up baseball activities after tearing the sagittal band in his left ring finger.

Until Griffin is actually ready, there's little reason not to give Brannigan the opportunity.

Pittsburgh has already recalled Brannigan multiple times this season and somehow managed to give him one major-league at-bat. That's not enough to learn anything about a 25-year-old prospect who is already on the 40-man roster and whose best attribute happens to fit the Pirates' immediate need.

Brannigan is a legitimate defensive shortstop. MLB Pipeline gives him 60 grades for both his arm and fielding and describes him as capable of playing outstanding defense at the position. His offensive profile is much less certain. He's hitting .218 with 14 home runs and a .766 OPS in the minors this season, and strikeouts have long been one of the primary concerns in his profile.

Fine. Find out what he can do.

Nobody is suggesting Brannigan should block Griffin once the Pirates' prized rookie is healthy. Griffin gets shortstop back immediately. But until that happens, Pittsburgh gains very little from continuing to shuttle Brannigan between Indianapolis and the majors without actually playing him.

Pirates prospects Jack Brannigan and Khristian Curtis have earned opportunities with September roster expansion approaching

The pitching choice should be even easier. Curtis has made two major-league appearances this season and thrown eight scoreless innings while allowing only two hits. That includes three scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Sunday before the Pirates optioned him again in their never-ending quest for a fresh bullpen arm.

Curtis also gives Don Kelly something more useful than another one-inning reliever: length. With Mitch Keller done for the season, Carmen Mlodzinski struggling to provide innings and Pittsburgh having experimented with different ways to cover the back end of its rotation, Curtis could function as a bulk reliever, piggyback option or spot starter. Those are meaningful innings for a team trying to squeeze whatever remains out of its playoff chances.

There is one procedural complication. Because Curtis was optioned Aug. 25, pitchers ordinarily must spend 15 days in the minors before being recalled unless they're replacing an injured player. September expansion itself doesn't erase that requirement.

So Curtis might not technically be the move Pittsburgh makes on Sept. 1. But he should be the pitcher occupying that expanded roster spot as soon as he's eligible. The Pirates can use another arm there temporarily and make the switch.

Brannigan can give them defense and an actual shortstop while Griffin finishes his rehab. Curtis has already shown he can get major-league hitters out and can cover multiple innings.

The Pirates have only two additional roster spots to work with. They shouldn't overthink either one.

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