Free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen re-signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday on a one-year deal worth $5 million, according to a source. Although McCutchen is clearly past his prime and is basically a full-time DH at this point in his career, the 38-year-old was highly coveted by the Pirates for his leadership skills in the clubhouse. In 448 at-bats over 120 games for Pittsburgh in 2024 in his 16th year in the big leagues, the five-time All-Star and former National League MVP hit .232/.328/.411 with a .739 OPS, 20 home runs, 50 RBI, three steals and 66 runs scored. McCutchen should once again be expected to serve as the team's full-time DH in 2025, and while he still has decent pop for his age, fantasy managers would be foolish to expect another season of 20 homers.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen is out of the starting lineup on Saturday against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. With McCutchen out, Bryan Reynolds is serving as the DH and batting second, while Billy Cook makes the start in left field and is hitting in the nine-hole against Yankees right-hander Luis Gil. McCutchen could use a day off with the season about to wrap up, as he's gone hitless in his last 11 at-bats with four strikeouts in three games played. The five-time All-Star and former MVP is batting only .232 (104-for-448) in his 16th year in the league, but he has reached the 20-homer mark for the first time since 2021 and has provided 50 RBI in his 120 games played for the Bucs. Reynolds clubbed two homers at Yankee Stadium on Friday night and will be a popular DFS pick against Gil, even though he has never faced him in his career. Cook has gone 9-for-41 (.220) with two homers in his first 14 MLB games this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen will get a day of rest on Saturday at Great American Ball Park against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. With McCutchen on the bench to start, Oneil Cruz will serve as the DH and bat third, while Billy Cook draws into the lineup in center field and will hit in the nine-hole against Reds rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder. Believe it or not, but McCutchen has returned to the 20-homer mark this year for the first time since 2021 at 37 years old. The former MVP is hitting .238 (102-for-429) through 115 games, though, and doesn't provide much else for fantasy managers these days. Cruz is a must-start in fantasy and just reached the 20-20 mark for the first time in his career by homering on Friday night. Cook will be playing in only his 10th MLB game on Saturday. He's gone 5-for-27 with a homer, double, five RBI and 12 K's through nine games.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran slugger has started in six of the last seven contests. That being said, it's not shocking to see McCutchen getting a rest day with the Pirates having little incentive to win with their season basically over. In his place, Joey Bart will serve as the designated hitter and bat third versus right-hander Andre Pallante. Bart is in the middle of a breakout season with a .267 batting average and 13 home runs with 43 RBI in 71 games this season. He has a favorable matchup here for fantasy managers looking for a streaming option or DFS help.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) is back as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for the Bucs on Friday against the Washington Nationals and rookie left-hander DJ Herz at PNC Park. McCutchen missed the last two games dur go lingering soreness in his knee, which has already landed him on the injured list this year, but he's feeling better now and is ready to go for the weekend. The 37-year-old former MVP is obviously no longer the player he was in his prime when he was an All-Star for five straight seasons from 2011-15 with the Pirates, but he can still provide serviceable numbers in deeper fantasy leagues when he's healthy. Since Aug. 2, he's hitting .333 (15-for-45) with five home runs, two doubles and 16 RBI in 13 games played. McCutchen has never faced Herz in his career.
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival Chicago Cubs because his knee was a "little cranky" when he showed up to the field. "He's 37 years old, and some days he wakes up and feels better than he does. He's still available," Shelton said. The Pirates probably could have used McCutchen on Wednesday, as they were no hit by lefty starter Shota Imanaga and two relievers in an 12-0 blowout loss. McCutchen recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to inflammation in the same knee, so this isn't a great sign. In four games since his return, he's gone 4-for-15 with two homers and six RBI. With McCutchen out on Wednesday, Oneil Cruz was the DH and Michael Taylor got the start in center field. The Pirates aren't going to rush the aging veteran back into the lineup at this point.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. This appears to be a routine rest day for the 37-year-old veteran slugger. McCutchen is 3-for-8 with four RBI since returning from the injured list a few days ago. It appears some time off might've helped McCutchen get back on track with his bat. On Sunday, Oneil Cruz will serve as the designated hitter while Bryan De La Cruz plays right field versus right-hander Alex Cobb. Fantasy managers who have McCutchen rostered should adjust their lineups.
Pirates Reinstate Andrew McCutchen From Injured List
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Friday that they reinstated outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) from the 10-day injured list and placed right-hander Ben Heller (shoulder) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move. The Pirates haven't released their starting lineup for Friday's contest versus the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, but McCutchen is likely to be in it against right-hander Ben Lively as the DH. The 37-year-old veteran didn't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment after missing two weeks due to inflammation in his left knee. He'll be returning to a .235/.336/.405 slash line with 16 home runs, 40 RBI and 59 runs scored in his 378 at-bats this year. Fantasy managers will be hoping he can pick up where he left off in August after going 11-for-30 (.367) with three homers and 10 RBI from Aug. 2 through Aug. 16.
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) recently got through a full workout that included running the bases. McCutchen thinks he's ready for a return, and the team is discussing a plan for his next step. The 37-year-old veteran is already eligible to come off the 10-day injured list, but the Pirates may want to send him on a short minor-league rehab assignment first. The Bucs have fallen firmly out of playoff contention at this point, so there's no reason to rush the aging outfielder back onto the field. He's been sidelined since the middle of August with inflammation in his left knee. The former MVP has managed to produce modest power yet again in 2024 with 16 home runs and 40 runs driven in with an above-average .741 OPS in 101 games played in his 16th year in the big leagues.
Pirates Place Andrew McCutchen On 10-Day Injured List
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, with the team recalling infielder Alika Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. McCutchen injured his knee running to first base late in Friday night's series-opening win over the Seattle Mariners and will now be forced to miss at least the next 10 days. It was a bad time for the injury, as the 37-year-old is in the midst of a modest six-game hitting streak while also hitting three home runs and driving in 14 in his last 15 games. McCutchen doesn't do much for fantasy managers these days besides give them modest power, but it's a big loss for Pittsburgh. His injury will probably mean more playing time for catcher Yasmani Grandal, with Joey Bart seeing more DH days.
Andrew McCutchen
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Pirates
