Pirates Designate Enmanuel Valdez for Assignment, Promote Top Prospect Konnor Griffin

The strategic move opens roster space for the team's shortstop of the future.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:09pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant green, blue, and red colors, without any recognizable faces, logos, or text.The Pirates' roster move reflects a strategic shift, deconstructing their lineup to make room for a new generation of talent.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated infielder Enmanuel Valdez for assignment, a decision that clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the team's top prospect, shortstop Konnor Griffin. Valdez, 27, has had an up-and-down MLB career with a .230 batting average and 14 home runs, but has struggled defensively at second base. The Pirates' move reflects their commitment to developing young talent and preparing for the future, as they make way for the highly touted Griffin to join the big league club.

Why it matters

The Pirates' decision to designate Valdez highlights the organization's willingness to make tough roster moves in order to create opportunities for their top prospects. This move provides Griffin a chance to showcase his skills at the MLB level, while also giving Valdez a fresh start with another team that may value his power potential.

The details

In three MLB seasons, Valdez has posted a .230/.288/.392 batting line with 14 home runs. While he has shown some pop at the plate, his defensive limitations at second base have been a concern. The Pirates are now exposing Valdez to waivers, allowing him to potentially sign with another organization if he clears. This opens a 40-man roster spot for Konnor Griffin, the team's top-ranked prospect and a highly touted shortstop expected to be a key part of the Pirates' future.

  • The Pirates designated Enmanuel Valdez for assignment on April 12, 2026.
  • Konnor Griffin is expected to join the Pirates' major league roster in the coming days.

The players

Enmanuel Valdez

A 27-year-old infielder who has spent parts of three seasons in the majors with the Pirates, batting .230 with 14 home runs.

Konnor Griffin

The Pirates' top-ranked prospect, a highly touted shortstop who is expected to join the major league roster after Valdez's designation.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to give Konnor this opportunity to showcase his talents at the big league level. This move is about creating a path for our top prospects while also providing Enmanuel a chance to potentially find a fresh start elsewhere.”

— Ben Cherington, General Manager, Pittsburgh Pirates

What’s next

The Pirates will now wait to see if Enmanuel Valdez clears waivers, at which point he could be outrighted to the minor leagues or elect free agency. Konnor Griffin is expected to join the major league roster in the coming days and make his MLB debut.

The takeaway

The Pirates' decision to designate Enmanuel Valdez for assignment reflects the organization's commitment to developing their top prospects and making tough roster decisions to position the team for long-term success. This move opens the door for Konnor Griffin, a highly touted shortstop, to join the big league club and showcase his skills as the Pirates look to the future.