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.

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.

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.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) is not in the starting lineup on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park. It doesn't come as a huge surprise after McCutchen tweaked his knee while running to first base late in Friday night's series-opening victory. Until we know more about the 37-year-old veteran's injury, consider him day-to-day. Shortstop Oneil Cruz is serving as the DH on Saturday and will hit second against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo. Cruz is a must-start in all fantasy lineups and has been on fire in the month of August. McCutchen, meanwhile, has provided a decent 16 long balls in 378 at-bats for a player in his 16th MLB season. He's also been excellent this month, going 11-for-30 (.367) with three homers and 10 RBI in nine games played.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) left Friday night's win over the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park early due to left-knee discomfort. McCutchen is currently being examined and treated by the medical staff. It was a bad night of injuries for Pittsburgh, as shortstop Oneil Cruz (ankle) also left late in the game. The 37-year-old McCutchen hurt his knee running to first base on a single in the seventh inning and was replaced at DH by Ji Hwan Bae. McCutchen went 1-for-3 in the game with an RBI and a strikeout. At the very least, he's unlikely to play in the second game of the series on Saturday, but fantasy managers will want to check back for the severity of his knee injury. The five-time All-Star hasn't provided fantasy managers much else besides a modest 16 long balls in his 16th year in the big leagues in 2024.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen and first baseman Rowdy Tellez are out of the lineup on Wednesday for the series finale against the hosting San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Catcher Joey Bart is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup, while Connor Joe will start at first and bat third against Padres left-hander Martin Perez. Yasmani Grandal is behind the dish and is hitting eighth. Fantasy managers will be said to see the 37-year-old McCutchen sitting, as he's opened the month of August by going 10-for-27 (.370) with three homers, a double, nine RBI and six runs scored in eight games. It's not a big surprise that Tellez is riding pine, as he's only seen 38 plate appearances this year against left-handed pitching, going 6-for-33 (.182) with two of his nine homers on the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 2-4 on Sunday with two homers and four RBI in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Compared to his legendary standards, the veteran is having a down year, slashing just .234/.335/.408. Although, he has been better as of late, slashing .360/.448/.760 in his last seven games. Hopefully, this power-filled day at the plate can give McCutchen and the Pirates more momentum down the stretch. Fantasy managers can use McCutchen (7% rostered in Yahoo! leagues) as a streamer while he's swinging a hot bat.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (quadriceps) is serving as the DH and is batting leadoff on Tuesday in his return to the lineup for the series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease. McCutchen suffered a quad injury in Saturday's game and didn't play on Sunday, but he's feeling better now after a scheduled day off on Monday. Fantasy managers will probably want to keep the 37-year-old veteran on the bench against one of the hottest pitchers in baseball right now in Cease. Additionally, McCutchen hasn't provided much for fantasy managers in his 16th big-league season in 2024, hitting .228 (81-for-355) with 13 homers, 31 RBI and 56 runs scored in 95 games played.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (quad) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Unsurprisingly, McCutchen will take a seat after exiting early on Saturday due to tightness in his quad. For now, McCutchen is considered as day-to-day, but that could change. Bryan De La Cruz will play in right field while Joey Bart serves as the designated hitter versus right-hander Ryne Nelson on Sunday. Fantasy managers who have McCutchen rostered should get him out of their lineups ahead of first pitch.

Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen exited Saturday's contest against the Diamondbacks early due to left quad tightness. According to the Pirates, the move was precautionary and he is considered day-to-day, however, it seems like a rest day on Sunday would be in order for the 37-year-old veteran so keep an eye on his status if you're counting on him on your fantasy squad.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen was pulled early from Saturday's game with hamstring discomfort. The team announced the injury shortly after the Pirates' 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. McCutchen is currently being evaluated and should be considered day-to-day. The 37-year-old was having a solid day at the plate, going 2-4 and tallying a run before Joey Bart pinch-hit for him in the top of the ninth. Given that the All-Star break will start on Monday, fantasy managers should prepare for McCutchen to sit out tomorrow's game to give him extra rest. The injury doesn't appear to be serious at the moment but fantasy managers should monitor McCutchen's status going forward. Expect Bryan Reynolds to slide into the DH role while Michael Taylor will likely start in the outfield on Sunday against scheduled White Sox starter Chad Kuhl.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen is getting a day off on Tuesday as the team faces the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on the road. With McCutchen sitting, Bryan Reynolds will get a day off his feet and serve as the DH while batting second against Brewers right-hander Colin Rea. Starting in Pittsburgh's outfield from left field to right are Jack Suwinski, Michael Taylor and Joshua Palacios. The 37-year-old McCutchen has struggled at the plate so far in six games in July, going 3-for-22 (.136) with a homer, double, RBI and nine strikeouts in 27 plate appearances. The cold stretch has dropped his season slash line to .225/.328/.386 with a .714 OPS. McCutchen has been a decent source of power (12 homers) and runs (46) for fantasy managers in deep-mixed leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen plans on playing beyond the 2024 season. "In my mind, this isn't my last year," McCutchen said. "As long as my body holds up and I'm not embarrassing myself out there, I wanna keep going." It was uncertain if he'd even return to Pittsburgh after last season when the 37-year-old veteran had season-ending surgery on his Achilles. But McCutchen has been healthy this year and has bounced back, as he currently leads the team in home runs with 10. His chase rate (97th percentile) remains elite, and he's also in the 78th percentile in walk rate. His expected slugging percentage is in the 90th percentile. Since moving to the leadoff spot in April, McCutchen has a .279 average in 41 games, with only former batting champion Luis Arraez (.340) being better in the National League. He ranks fourth in baseball among leadoff men with an .837 OPS.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen and infielder Jared Triolo are both out of the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a home run in Wednesday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers and has been better in May so far, batting .250 (11-for-44) with two home runs and three RBI to raise his season line to .211/.317/.358 in 142 plate appearances. With McCutchen out, Bryan Reynolds will serve as the designated hitter and bat second, while Edward Olivares will serve as the cleanup hitter while starting in right field against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele. Triolo has just two hits in his last 39 plate appearances and could start losing more playing time if he doesn't pick things up offensively soon. Nick Gonzales is starting at third base and is batting fifth, while ... [More]

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Michael Taylor are not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics. With both players out, Bryan Reynolds will serve as the designated hitter and bat second, while Jack Suwinski will cover center field and hit eighth against A's right-hander Ross Stripling. Connor Joe is manning left field and batting third in the order. The veteran McCutchen has gotten off to a slow start in 2024, hitting just .190 (15-for-79) with three home runs, seven RBI and one steal. Taylor has been a bit better with a .253 average (19-for-75), but he has yet to go deep with six RBI and three stolen bases. Reynolds is a daily must-start in season-long fantasy leagues, while Joe is a nice low-cost DFS play with an average just under .300 in his first 89 at-bats in 2024.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Bryse Wilson. The veteran homered as part of a two-hit effort on Tuesday but will give way to Connor Joe to leadoff and man left field on Wednesday. Interestingly, McCutchen's splits lean heavily towards righties so far this season as he's hitting .295 with all three of his homers coming off of southpaws while he is just 1-for-16 (.063) with three walks in 20 plate appearances against lefties. He is seeing semi-regular playing time this season, appearing in 16 of the team's 24 games but isn't doing a ton for fantasy managers with a .233 average and 30.9% K% on the young season.

Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen will be on the bench Saturday as the Pirates continue a four-game set against the Phillies. The 37-year-old has a tough start to the season as he holds a .161/.316/.226 line with no home runs and only two RBI. Edward Olivares will instead be in the designated hitter spot and bat in the five-hole as he takes on Spencer Turnbull. Olivares has been swinging a hot bat over the first two weeks, hitting for a .314 AVG and .600 SLG with seven RBI and three home runs. Olivares is worth consideration in DFS, but he does have a difficult matchup with Spencer Turnbull, who has yet to allow an earned run and has a minuscule 0.55 WHIP.