Pirates rookie Konnor Griffin’s forearm strain improving, as he hopes to begin a throwing progression soon

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin is moving in the right direction on his recovery from a right forearm strain, and he is hoping to begin a throwing program soon, according to reporting Thursday. Griffin, 20, has said he expects to take the next step as his forearm continues to improve, with one report indicating he could potentially start the progression as early as Wednesday.

For a position player, forearm strains can be particularly tricky because the injury affects more than just batting. Shortstops rely on quick, accurate throws across the diamond, and the return-to-throwing phase is often the clearest checkpoint for whether a player can handle the daily ramp-up in both intensity and volume. The fact that Griffin’s condition is described as improving matters because it suggests the team is past the most restrictive portion of the rehab process and can start testing baseball-like movements again.

The key next milestone, as described in coverage, is the start of a structured throwing routine, which typically comes after a period of rest and controlled strengthening. Even when players feel better, teams generally manage progression carefully to avoid setbacks, especially with forearm problems that can flare when workload increases. Griffin’s optimism is encouraging, but the timeline still depends on how his arm responds once he begins to throw and whether discomfort stays controlled.

Griffin’s status also carries roster significance for the Pirates’ middle-infield plans. When a young shortstop is sidelined, the team must rely on internal options to cover ground at shortstop and to handle innings requirements for substitute infielders. That can affect defensive continuity, infield chemistry, and how often Pittsburgh can run with its preferred lineup makeup, particularly in stretches where games come quickly.

From a development standpoint, the pause matters because Griffin is at the stage where the organization wants him to get sustained reps, both in games and in fielding routines. Returning to throwing is not the same as returning to full-speed play, but it is one of the most tangible indicators that the coaching staff can map out the next phase of development without compromising the medical timeline.

It is also worth noting what this kind of update does not confirm. While Griffin’s forearm strain is being described as improving and the throwing progression is the next target, there has been no accompanying, publicly stated return date in the reporting available here. The Pirates will likely continue to treat this as a day-to-day process once throwing starts, with adjustments based on how his forearm feels after each step.

For fans in Pittsburgh, the immediate thing to watch is whether Griffin actually begins the throwing program on the targeted day and how quickly the progression advances from light toss to longer, harder throws. Longer-term, the follow-up question will be when he can resume full baseball activity and integrate back into live defensive work, so the Pirates can determine how soon they can add him back to the infield mix.

If the throwing timeline moves forward as expected, Griffin’s recovery could become a case study in the Pirates’ willingness to balance patience with development. For a rookie, staying healthy long enough to build rhythm is often as important as the initial performance, and the next few rehab checkpoints will likely decide whether Griffin returns as a stabilizing force at shortstop or whether Pittsburgh will need to extend its infield coverage plans a bit longer.