Pirates activate Ryan O’Hearn but place Konnor Griffin on IL with forearm strain

Kevin Gorman TribLive Sun, May 31, 2026 • 12:55 PM

Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin watches from the dugout with Ryan O’Hearn during a game against the Cubs on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at PNC Park. (Christopher Horner | TribLive)

The Pittsburgh Pirates activated first baseman/right fielder Ryan O’Hearn from the 10-day injured list but the corresponding move cost them another prominent starter.

Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin was placed on the 10-day IL with a minor flexor strain in his right forearm. The 20-year-old Griffin is batting .270/.327/.402 with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 22 RBIs, 30 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 51 games.

Griffin had gone 4 for 9 with two RBIs as designated hitter the past two games against the Minnesota Twins but Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday during an appearance on flagship 93.7 The Fan that they were “just not really in position to give anyone DH days every day.”

While Griffin was able to hit and run, his throwing was limited so he wasn’t available to play in the field. Cherington said he was “pretty confident” that Griffin’s first time on the IL will be a short stint.

“We had circled today as kind of an important day — call it a hot spot day — to make a final call,” Cherington said. “He feels significant progress. It’s still in there a little bit. What it tells the team is it’s not a good idea for him to play shortstop in Houston.”

Cherington said Jared Triolo is expected to get the bulk of playing time at shortstop in Griffin’s absence, with Nick Gonzales playing third base and Tyler Callihan available to play second and third base. Another possibility is to promote infielder Nick Yorke from Triple-A Indianapolis.

O’Hearn was placed on the 10-day injured list May 17, a day after straining his right quadriceps on a misstep while catching a ball in foul territory in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. O’Hearn was expected to miss a month but returned ahead of schedule.

The 32-year-old O’Hearn, who signed a two-year, $29 million contract in free agency, is batting .289/.368/.459 with six doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBIs in 32 games this season. O’Hearn is expected to be in the starting lineup at DH for Sunday’s series finale against the Twins at PNC Park.