McCutchen's (hand) removal from the Pirates' game on Sunday was precautionary and he's expected to be fine, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen was lifted from the game against the Twins after being hit by a pitch, but it sounds like he probably could've remained in had it been a regular-season contest. The veteran outfield is expected to open 2023 as the Pirates' starting right fielder.

McCutchen signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Well, isn't that fun? McCutchen reached superstardom in Pittsburgh, winning the National League MVP award in 2013 and finishing in the top five in voting four straight years. He's 36 now and coming off a career-low .700 OPS, but he nonetheless instantly becomes one of the Pirates' better hitters and provides some leadership. This should also offer him a chance to play every day, an opportunity he wouldn't necessarily have received elsewhere.

McCutchen isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen went 1-for-7 with six walks and four strikeouts over his last three matchups, and he'll be on the bench for a second consecutive game to close out the regular season. Christian Yelich will serve as the designated hitter while Keston Hiura starts in left field.

McCutchen isn't in the lineup Friday against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen is getting a day off after he went 2-for-8 with a walk and four strikeouts over the last two games. Keston Hiura will take over as the designated hitter and bat sixth.

McCutchen isn't starting Tuesday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

After going 2-for-16 in the last series against Cincinnati, McCutchen will step aside Tuesday in order to let Keston Hiura serve as the Brewers' designated hitter. Hiura will bat sixth in the order.

McCutchen isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen started the last two games and went 3-for-6 with a double, a run, an RBI, two walks and two strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Christian Yelich serves as the designated hitter and leads off.

McCutchen is not in the lineup Sunday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen started the past nine games for Milwaukee but will head to the bench Sunday amid an 0-for-13 slump. Rowdy Tellez will serve as the designated hitter while Keston Hiura starts at first base.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and three total RBI in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen gave the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and put them ahead for good with a two-run blast in the fifth. While he's batting just .227 (5-for-22) across his last six games, he's gone yard three times in that span, knocking in six runs. The veteran outfielder is up to a .244/.312/.400 slash line with 17 homers, 65 RBI, 63 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 120 contests overall.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen added some insurance with an eighth-inning blast. The 35-year-old has gone yard twice in eight games in September while adding three multi-hit efforts. He's maintained a .244/.312/.394 slash line with 16 homers, 62 RBI, 62 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 118 contests in a near-everyday role, though he's already been out of the starting lineup four times in 11 games this month.

McCutchen isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

McCutchen started Thursday's matinee and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Rowdy Tellez will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth during the second game of the twin bill.