Pittsburgh Pirates GM Ben Cherington says injuries won’t alter trade‑deadline buyer strategy

General Manager Ben Cherington said the Pittsburgh Pirates' wave of injuries has not changed the team’s outlook toward the upcoming trade deadline. Shortstop Konnor Griffin was placed on the 10‑day injured list with a torn tendon in his left ring finger and is expected to miss 8‑10 weeks, potentially ending his season. The injury list also includes catcher Endy Rodriguez, first baseman Spencer Horwitz and center fielder Oneil Cruz. Despite the setbacks, Cherington emphasized that “[Injuries] haven’t changed how we think about the deadline or this team in 2026,” and the club remains a buyer, seeking short‑term fixes while keeping long‑term roster goals. The Pirates, who rank third in MLB for runs per game, are still 11½ games behind division leader Milwaukee and four games back in the wild‑card race. Griffin, a 20‑year‑old on a nine‑year, $140 million contract, is difficult to replace; the club may consider acquiring a shortstop on an expiring deal or rely on utility infielder Jared Triolo in the interim.