Konnor Griffin explains injury, anticipates throwing soon

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While it’s been a process, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin said Tuesday he anticipates starting a throwing program on Wednesday as he works he way back from a forearm injury.

Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk said it’s likely Griffin will throw 90 feet and they will see how he responds to that, then they will come up with a more definitive plan. Tomczyk said they must have all the data points to know how to proceed and can’t give more of a timeline right now.

Griffin said a few times talking in the clubhouse before the series opener against the Dodgers, he understands after getting a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, that he just needs time to heal the forearm. Both Meister and Tomczyk identified Griffin’s injury as a low-grade muscle strain.

“Obviously Konnor is hugely important to us and we want him back on the field as soon as possible,” said Pirates manager Don Kelly. “And we want to make sure he's in a really good spot to go back out there and do what he's capable of doing. Obviously disappointing when that gets extended a little bit. Excited to hear he's going to be throwing (Wednesday).”

For the layman, Tomczyk explains the difference between this injury and the initial fear that he might need Tommy John surgery.

“All of the clinical exams with subsequent imaging that our team physicians did, that the second opinion physicians did, all the ligament is stable, so that is a very important point,” Tomczyk said. “So there are no concerns at this time of any surgery.”

Griffin, even though he pitched in high school, said he’s never had arm issues. He was feeling tightness and soreness around the elbow area and decided to say something.

“It felt almost like I pulled something,” Griffin explained. “So just felt like it was better to let them know, let them be aware [instead of going] out there not even halfway through the year and trying to play through pain and not be at 100%. I want to be 100% when I'm out there.”

On top of just not being able to play, Griffin missed an opportunity to face his childhood team, and team closest to his home, in Atlanta and now is missing out on facing the Dodgers.

“I just try to stay locked into the games and not let myself get too far away from the game,” Griffin said. “It's something [where] I could be back here in the next few weeks, and I don't want to be too far away from the game. I want to make sure I'm focused and trying to keep my head in the best space I can.”