McCutchen ended April with a .194 batting average in 72 at-bats, marking just the second time in his career he hit under .200 for an entire month. He looks to build upon Wednesday's game in which he went 2-for-5 with a two-run triple. McCutchen has shown off his sprinter's-like speed more frequently in recent games, a good sign, but it might not be too wise to expect much from him Friday. The center fielder is batting .143 (5-for-35) with 13 strikeouts against St. Louis starter, Lance Lynn.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 against the Cubs on Tuesday. Another game, another fly out to the center-field warning track for the outfielder with just two home runs in 67 at-bats. McCutchen was able to sprint down the first base line on a routine ground out, which may not sound like much, but it's an encouraging sign considering his early-season knee issues.

McCutchen went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly Sunday. He hit another 400-foot fly ball out, his third in the last two games. McCutchen is in the midst of a 1-for-17 funk, but holds a career .359/.471/.529 slash line at Wrigley Field, where the Bucs travel to Monday.

Although McCutchen is batting .151 (8-for-53) since Opening Day, Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Sunday that the outfielder has "no glaring holes or flaws." Speaking on his weekly radio show, Huntington said, "He's Andrew McCutchen, we're looking forward to one of his breakouts." The all-star, who looks heavier in his lower body this year, continues to deal with a nagging knee injury. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel noted how he limped noticeably after tracking down a that deep fly ball Saturday. McCutchen recently stated that he can still play well at 80 percent, but fantasy owners might not get the typical MVP type numbers they've come to expect from Cutch in 2015.

McCutchen struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance Thursday against the Cubs. The center fielder is batting .200 (10-for-50) and has more HBPs (three) than doubles (two). Look for McCutchen to return to the lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks.

McCutchen will not be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. McCutchen is struggling to get things going early this season, so manager Clint Hurdle will give him a day off his feet Thursday. The Pirates have yet to announce who will start in center field in McCutchen's place, but one of Starling Marte (hand) or Gregory Polanco figures to slide over and handle the job for the day.

McCutchen is fine after getting hit in the arm Saturday. The pitch mostly got McCutchen's sleeve, but did hit some of his skin. McCutchen will not miss any time from the hit by pitch. He is hitting .212 on the season so far.

McCutchen was 1-for-4 with a run scoring double in the Pirates win over Milwaukee on Friday night. Notably, McCutchen was batting in the clean-up spot for only the second time since 2011 as the Pirates juggled their lineup to hopefully wake up a slumbering offense. With the 6-3 win, this lineup might be used for the foreseeable future, potentially providing McCutchen with a few extra RBI opportunities if the hitters in front of him can get on base with some consistency.

McCutchen (knee) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers. McCutchen is dealing with persistent soreness in his left knee, but he will continue doing his best to play through the pain. As he regularly does, McCutchen will man center field and bat third for the Pirates on Monday.

McCutchen, who belted a three-run dinger Sunday, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review his left knee still isn't healthy. "My 80 percent is pretty good. I can play with that," McCutchen said. "The knee is going to be an everyday occurrence for me for who knows how long, but I can battle through it." McCutchen went 2-for-4 with the aforementioned homer and four RBI against the Brewers on Sunday. He removed himself from Friday's game after feeling left knee pain running to first base. It was initially believed he injured himself jumping against the center field fence. After one week, it doesn't look like Cutch's persistent knee injury will allow fantasy owners to simply set McCutchen on cruise control as in year's past.