The Pittsburgh Pirates are 5.0 games back from the Arizona Diamondbacks for that final National League Wild Card spot, staring down a serious climb with the Padres, Marlins, and Cardinals all in front of them. You’d think they’d be packing it in, right? Nah. Because on September 4, they’re getting a jolt of energy that could just spark some late-season magic: Konnor Griffin is back from the injured list. This dude’s return is exactly what a team desperate for a playoff push needs, giving them a much-needed shot in the arm for the final stretch of the 2026 MLB season.
Superstar Shortstop’s Return Shakes Up The Roster
Alex Stumpf dropped the news: “Konnor Griffin has been activated off the 60-day IL. Christian Bethancourt has been DFA’d.” They also recalled Isaac Mattson and optioned Brandon Eisert to Triple-A. But let’s be real, the big story is Griffin. This kid is a superstar shortstop, and he’s been sidelined for nearly three months with a nasty finger issue, last playing all the way back on June 5. Missing that much time has to be brutal, but before he went down, Griffin was absolutely crushing it. He was hitting .276 with five homers, 25 RBIs, and a .736 OPS in the first half of the season. That’s serious production, and getting that back for the run-in? Massive.
The Obvious Choice: Bethancourt Designated For Assignment
To make room for Griffin, the Pirates had to clear a spot on the 26-man roster, and the choice was pretty straightforward. They designated veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt for assignment. The 35-year-old was a late-season pickup from the Yankees in a mid-August minor league trade and was only promoted to the big leagues on September 1 when rosters expanded. Here’s the wild part, though: Bethancourt never even saw the field for the Pirates. His only MLB action this year was in preseason with the Chicago Cubs. He was the easy call to clear space for a talent like Griffin. You gotta make tough choices, and when you’ve got a “superstar” coming back, you make that choice every single time.
With Griffin back in the lineup, the Pirates have a real reason to believe. They’re facing a tough Wild Card battle, but his bat and glove could absolutely be the catalyst they need. Will it be enough for that minor miracle? We’ll find out when they hit the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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