Pirates make notable Konnor Griffin decision after rough Blue Jays series originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates made a noteworthy lineup move before Sunday’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, and it immediately put the spotlight back on rookie phenom Konnor Griffin. After carrying an eight-game hitting streak into the weekend, Griffin was left out of Pittsburgh’s starting lineup for Sunday afternoon’s matchup in Toronto. The decision came after the young shortstop struggled through the first two games of the series, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts as the Pirates dropped another important game Saturday night.
For a player who has quickly become one of the most talked-about young names in baseball, the move stood out. Griffin has energized Pittsburgh fans with his athleticism and early offensive flashes, but Sunday’s lineup decision also served as a reminder that the Pirates are still trying to carefully manage the expectations and workload surrounding one of the franchise’s biggest long-term building blocks. According to MLB analyst Colin Beazley, manager Don Kelly also wanted to remain cautious with outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, who continues working through a lingering back issue. That left Pittsburgh making multiple adjustments entering the series finale.
Pirates turn to veteran presence instead
Veteran infielder Jared Triolo replaced Griffin at shortstop and hit ninth in the order, while Pittsburgh tried to avoid being swept by a surging Toronto team.
The Pirates’ lineup included:
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Spencer Horwitz at first base
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Brandon Lowe at second base
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Bryan Reynolds in left field
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Nick Gonzales at third base
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Oneil Cruz at designated hitter
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Endy Rodríguez behind the plate
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Esmerlyn Valdez in right field
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Jake Mangum in center field
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Jared Triolo at shortstop
Pittsburgh entered Sunday looking to recover after Saturday’s 5-2 loss, a game that featured an early leadoff homer from George Springer and another frustrating offensive performance from the Pirates.
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Konnor Griffin remains one of Pirates’ biggest storylines
Even with the rough weekend in Toronto, Griffin’s recent rise remains one of the biggest developments for the Pirates this season. The rookie’s eight-game hitting streak before the Blue Jays series showcased why the organization believes he could become a foundational player for years to come.
That is also why Sunday’s decision felt more strategic than punitive. Pittsburgh appears focused on protecting Griffin from being overwhelmed during the inevitable ups and downs of a full major league season. Young stars often hit difficult stretches once opposing pitchers begin adjusting, and the Pirates may simply believe a reset day was necessary after two difficult games.
The finale also featured an intriguing pitching matchup, with Toronto handing the ball to Dylan Cease while Mitch Keller started for Pittsburgh as the Pirates attempted to avoid extending Toronto’s winning streak even further.
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