McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a walk Monday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen struck out in five of his first nine plate appearances of the season and was out of the lineup both Saturday and Sunday. He returned to bat fourth Monday and struck out two additional times, though he also managed his first hits of the new campaign -- including a key RBI knock in the eighth inning. The Pirates' lineup is deeper than last season when McCutchen was a regular, but he'll likely get plenty of time to get his bat up to speed.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen went 0-for-9 with two walks, an RBI and five strikeouts in the first two games of the season but finds himself on the bench Sunday for the second straight contest. Bryan Reynolds will rest his legs as the designated hitter with Edward Olivares and Connor Joe starting in the corner outfield spots.

McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's contest against Miami, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen will get a breather Saturday despite the Marlins sending the left-handed Ryan Weathers to start on the mound. The 37-year-old is 0-for-9 to begin the season, and his absence will give Edward Olivares a chance to start at DH and bat fourth.

McCutchen (illness) is starting as Pittsburgh's designated hitter Saturday against the Tigers, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup because of his illness, but he appears to have recovered in time for Saturday's game. McCutchen has played in just two games this spring, recording two hits in five at-bats, including a home run.

McCutchen was scratched from the Pirates' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday due to illness, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger should be ready to rejoin the lineup in a day or two. Billy McKinney entered the starting nine at designated hitter in McCutchen's place.

McCutchen (Achilles) will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran has been slow-played this spring after a partial tear of his left Achilles' tendon ended his 2023 season. McCutchen said that he thinks his modified program in camp has helped get his body into a great spot. While he's not the player he once was, McCutchen showed early on last year that he still has something in the tank, posting an .823 OPS over the first two months.

McCutchen (Achilles) took swings and participated in defensive drills Friday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen is coming off a partial Achilles tear and has yet to see action in Grapefruit League games, but it appears he's closing in on his spring debut. The 37-year-old re-signed with the Pirates after he posted a .775 OPS in 112 games last season and is poised to serve as the club's primary designated hitter in 2024.

Pittsburgh re-signed McCutchen (Achilles) to a one-year, $5 million contract Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen missed the final month of the 2023 campaign due to a partial tear of his left Achilles tendon, but he posted a respectable .776 OPS with 12 homers and 11 steals over 112 games for the Pirates when healthy. The 37-year-old will likely again serve as Pittsburgh's primary designated hitter in 2024, also possibly sprinkling in a bit of action in the corner outfield if his lower left leg cooperates. McCutchen is sitting on 299 career home runs as he enters his 16th major-league season.

McCutchen (Achilles) was transferred Tuesday from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.

EDGE Analysis

This is a procedural move to clear out a 40-man roster spot for the arrival of Kyle Nicolas. McCutchen suffered a partial tear of left his Achilles tendon earlier this month and had already been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

McCutchen was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a partial tear in his left Achilles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen will need to wear a walking boot for the next six weeks, so the injury effectively ends his season. It could also potentially spell the end of his Pirates career since he'll hit free agency this offseason, although 'Cutch has indicated a desire to come back for at least one more year. He's had a solid 2023 campaign, slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases over 112 games. McCutchen has basically been a full-time designated hitter for the Pirates this season and the team now figures to rotate through multiple players in that spot in the final month.