This injury will keep Griffin out for up to eight-to-10 weeks, which has a return timeline<\/a> of Sept. 1-15, closer towards the end of the regular season.<\/p>\n It’s not an easy time for Griffin or the Pirates, who have an idea of how they’re lineup with shape without their star rookie in the lineup.<\/p>\n How Pirates Will Address Griffin’s Departure<\/p>\n Jared Triolo now takes over at shortstop for the Pirates going forward, taking on the responsibilities he had after Griffin’s first injury.<\/p>\n Triolo started 22 of 24 games when Griffin was dealing with his right forearm flexor strain from late-May to late-June, where he slashed .213\/.308\/.263 for an OPS of .570.<\/p>\n Aug 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jared Triolo (19) throws during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n He hit better following Griffin’s return, slashing .308\/.379\/.577 for an OPS of .956 in nine games, with eight hits in 26 at-bats, four doubles, a home run and five RBI and will need to keep up that play with Griffin out again.<\/p>\n The Pirates also have center fielder Jake Mangum<\/a> in the leadoff spot and also with fellow center fielder Oneil Cruz and first baseman Spencer Horwitz, who both mostly hit leadoff this season, on the injured list<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mangum has hit well since taking over center fielder full-time, slashing .323\/.363\/.385 for an OPS of .748 in 25 games, with 31 hits in 96 at-bats, six doubles and six RBI.<\/p>\n His time as leadoff hitter has also been successful, slashing .297\/.333\/.351 for an OPS of .685, which the Pirates also need now more than ever.\t<\/p>\n Pirates Lineup vs. the Braves<\/p>\n Player<\/p>\n Position<\/p>\n Batting Side<\/p>\n Jake Mangum<\/p>\n Center Fielder<\/p>\n Switch<\/p>\n Brandon Lowe<\/p>\n Designated Hitter<\/p>\n Left<\/p>\n Bryan Reynolds<\/p>\n Left Fielder<\/p>\n Switch<\/p>\n Esmerlyn Valdez<\/p>\n Right Fielder<\/p>\n Right<\/p>\n Ryan O’Hearn<\/p>\n First Base<\/p>\n Left<\/p>\n Nick Gonzales<\/p>\n Third Base<\/p>\n Right<\/p>\n Tyler Callihan<\/p>\n Second Base<\/p>\n Left<\/p>\n Jared Triolo<\/p>\n Shortstop<\/p>\n Right<\/p>\n Henry Davis<\/p>\n Catcher <\/p>\n Right<\/p>\n The Pirates host the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series at PNC Park and have both Mangum in leadoff and Triolo at shortstop in the series opener on July 7.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh also give rookie Tyler Callihan just his second start in MLB at second base, last doing so in the 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park on June 25. He also bats seventh in the lineup.<\/p>\n Jun 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Tyler Callihan (37) reacts after a three run home run for his second home run of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n Brandon Lowe<\/a> will serve as designated hitter, just his fifth time doing so in 2026 and last time since the 9-5 defeat to the Nationals in the series opener at Nationals Park on July 3, and stays second in the batting order.<\/p>\n The Pirates lineup looks mostly the same, with first baseman Ryan O’Hearn batting fifth, third baseman Nick Gonzales batting sixth and Triolo batting eighth to round out the infield.<\/p>\n Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez<\/a> continues on in right field and fourth in the batting order, while left fielder Bryan Reynolds is one spot ahead of him in third. <\/p>\n Catcher Henry Davis is in and bats ninth, as Pirates right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes<\/a> makes his 19th start of 2026.<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kwz787q3qxbtebmam4.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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