McCutchen went 3-for-4 and reached base four times Monday, registering his third consecutive three-hit game. He continues to excel despite a rib injury. McCutchen, who ranks second in the NL behind Giancarlo Stanton with a .938 OPS, has a homer in three career at-bats against Tuesday starter David Buchanan.

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with an RBI on Saturday, registering just his second three-hit game since the All-Star break. McCutchen entered Saturday slashing .239/323/.389 in 130 plate appearances since July 18. The reigning NL MVP continues to play with a rib injury, but the fact that he attempted to steal a base Friday bodes well for his general health.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, two runs scored and one double Monday against the Cardinals. The Pirates are trying to make a playoff push and McCutchen will need to continue to hit well if they are going to make it. He is now hitting .308 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI for the season.

McCutchen (rib), who has two singles in his last 10 at-bats, saw only 10 pitches in four at-bats Friday. It appears he's looking to hit the first decent pitch he sees, as every swing likely aggravates his rib fracture. It would be surprising to see McCutchen add to his 17 stolen bases, given his injury, but his mere presence in the lineup provides a boost to his team. It would be unwise for fantasy owners to expect MVP-like numbers from McCutchen in the short term.

McCutchen (left rib discomfort) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals. True to his word, McCutchen will man center field after he downplayed the injury that forced him out of Tuesday's game. The rib discomfort is an injury that McCutchen will likely have to negotiate on an on-and-off basis throughout the rest of the season, but it's unlikely to result in him missing any extended action.

McCutchen, who left Tuesday's game with left rib discomfort, said he expects to play in Wednesday's series finale against the Cardinals, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. McCutchen was pulled in the sixth inning of Tuesday's contest after he slammed into the wall earlier in the game, aggravating the injury that resulted in a stay on the DL earlier this month. The outfielder noted that he hasn't been fully healed since returning, and that on some days, the soreness is more persistent than others. The injury isn't something that should cost McCutchen much time the rest of the way while the Pirates remain in the race for the NL Central crown. McCutchen went 0-for-3 before leaving Tuesday, but he's otherwise hit pretty well since returning, smacking three homers in seven games.

McCutchen was lifted from Tuesday's game against the Cardinals after five innings with left rib discomfort. The aggravation presumably occurred in the third inning, when he crashed into the outfield wall tracking ball off the bat of Matt Carpenter. McCutchen will be re-evaluated Wednesday, but the Pirates could opt to hold him out of the finale against St. Louis, as to give him two full days to recuperate with the team off Thursday.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a solo home run Monday against the Cardinals. McCutchen is heating up as he has a home run in three of his last four games. The Pirates will need him to continue to lead their offense as they make a run towards the playoffs.

McCutchen, who hit his 19th homer Sunday, says he's playing at less than full strength following a rib fracture. "It's good enough to play. It's good enough to swing," McCutchen told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "That's probably how it's going to be the rest of the season. It's going to be good enough." McCutchen's injury situation throws up a red flag for fantasy owners, but the center fielder hit two home runs over the weekend at less than 100 percent. At this point in the pennant race, McCutchen will likely play through pain he might decide to sit out in April or May. His status will go a long way toward determining Pittsburgh's postseason hopes.

McCutchen has six hits in 11 career at-bats against Sunday starter, Mike Fiers, including four home runs and nine RBI. He's 3-for-9 with a dinger in his last two games after going hitless in first eight at-bats off the DL. Make sure McCutchen is in your starting lineup Sunday.