The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that designated hitter Andrew McCutchen has been placed on the injured list. He left Friday’s game against the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park in the seventh inning after hitting a single to left field and struggling to reach first base. McCutchen took himself out of the game without even waiting for the trainer. The diagnosis is left knee inflammation. The Pirates called up shortstop Alika Williams from Triple-A Indianapolis to take McCutchen’s spot on the active roster.
Pirates Place Franchise Icon McCutchen On Injured List
The offensively challenged Pirates could ill afford to lose one of their better hitters at a time when their postseason hopes are on life support. McCutchen’s return to Pittsburgh in 2023 has been one of the more interesting subplots of the last two years. Neal Huntington, the general manager at the time, traded “Cutch” after the 2018 season. The belief was that he was a player in decline. Since returning, McCutchen has been one of the Pirates’ better hitters. This season, he’s hitting .235/.336/.405, 16 HR, 40 RBI, and 108 OPS+. He began to thrive since being moved to the leadoff permanently in May. He has an excellent .343 OBP as a leadoff hitter in 2024.
McCutchen had been grinding it out the last few games, noticeably limping on the bases. A Pirates team that’s looked down in the mouth during a 10-game losing streak snapped on Friday will miss McCutchen’s leadership by example.
The Pirates entered Saturday’s action at 57-64, in last place in the National League Central Division. They’re 12 ½ games out of first place and 6 ½ games out of the Wild Card. A postseason berth remains mathematically possible but unlikely, given the number of teams ahead of them in the Wild Card race. Oddsmakers now give them a 1.2 percent chance to make the postseason. Thus, fans and media have begun to think about 2025. Given his performance in 2024, McCutchen should be back with the Pirates next year. However, with McCutchen’s health issues, the Pirates will want him to pass a physical before re-signing him, as they did this season.
Up Comes Williams
Oneil Cruz also pulled up lame on the bases in Friday’s unlucky seventh inning. Thus, the Pirates called up Williams to have some shortstop depth while Cruz remains day-to-day. Cruz was in Saturday’s lineup as the designated hitter, with newly acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa assuming Cruz’s place in the field and McCutchen’s leadoff spot in the order.
Williams, who made the squad out of spring training, has been back and forth between Pittsburgh and Indy all year. With the Pirates, he’s hitting .210/.246/.290. The last thing the Pirates need is another Mario Mendoza-level hitter. On the other hand, they can’t get caught short at an important defensive position. At Triple-A, Williams hit .298/.379/.390. Perhaps that hitting can carry over to the Pirates while McCutchen sits on the injured list.
Once Cruz is healthy enough to take the field, the Pirates would be wise to dip into Indianapolis for one of their young hitters. They must decide what to do with Henry Davis, who has been scorching the ball at Indy but has fallen down the organizational depth chart at catcher. Recent acquisitions Nick Yorke and Billy Cook could also get the call. Yorke is a middle infielder who’s said to be ready to hit major-league pitching. He’s already the Pirates’ No. 6 prospect. Cook, an outfielder, is further down at No. 24, but his recent streak of torrid hitting has made him an intriguing prospect. Jack Suwinski, who continues to scuffle, will give less consideration to a return.
Main Photo Credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
