Overview
- The Pirates reinstated Konnor Griffin from the 60-day injured list on Friday and designated veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt for assignment to open a 40‑man roster spot.
- Club doctors removed Griffin’s splint in mid‑August and said he is pain‑free with better‑than‑expected grip‑strength results after short rehab stints at Double‑A Altoona and Triple‑A Indianapolis.
- Griffin made an immediate on‑field mark in his first game back by scoring the lone run in Pittsburgh’s 1‑0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
- To balance the active roster the team recalled right‑hander Isaac Mattson and optioned lefty Brandon Eisert to Triple‑A Indianapolis.
- A former top prospect who signed a nine‑year, $140 million extension, Griffin enters with a .276 average, five homers and 20 steals in 59 games while the Pirates sit roughly five games out of the final NL wild‑card, so his return matters for both short‑term hopes and long‑term development.