Konnor Griffin Hopeful He Can 'Produce More' After Returning From Injury

Konnor Griffin Hopeful He Can ‘Produce More’ After Returning From Injury originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates got shortstop Konnor Griffin back in the lineup on Friday.

Griffin was activated off the injured list and he made an immediate impact as he hit a leadoff home run. The 20-year-old became the fifth-youngest player in MLB history to hit a leadoff homer, joining a list that includes Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle.

“It’s wild to think about,” Griffin said of the feat after the game. “I hope I have as good a career as he had. So, let’s take it day by day and see what happens.”

Griffin was placed on the IL on May 31 and missed nearly a full month, but he was able to make an impact right away. The star shortstop finished the game going 2-for-4, and was hit by a pitch, as he hopes he can make more of an impact for the Pirates.

“I feel like I can produce more out here than what I have in the first 50 games,” Griffin said. “… I’m treating it as this is my second half of the year, so time to get it rolling and try to finish strong.”

Griffin said there were some nerves in his return from injury, but he was thankful he was able to make an impact right away with a leadoff home run.

Despite the leadoff homer, the Pirates lost 6-4 to the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener on Friday.

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