Manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday that McCutchen did not suffer any kind of disabling injury Wednesday. The center fielder slipped on home plate while running out of the batter's box. "He's fine," Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. McCutchen has had an awkward spring training, missing 10 games with an undisclosed lower-body injury and then leaving Wednesday's tilt while apparently holding his right side. Fantasy owners have to hope the center fielder is done with his spring dalliance of injuries.

McCutchen, who exited Wednesday's spring game, it not expected to be dealing with anything serious, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports. McCutchen was removed late in the game, but as expected, it was only for precautionary reasons. He apparently slipped on home plate ever so slightly, and did not want to over-exert himself just to be safe. The recent development here should have no effect on his fantasy value, as McCutchen remains a top-5 player in just about any format.

McCutchen left Wednesday's spring game with an apparent injury, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports. McCutchen failed to run out a ground ball late in the contest, and did not take the field in the ensuing frame. It may be that the Pirates are taking a conservative approach with the regular season just around the corner, but it's a situation worth monitoring leading up to Opening Day.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a double Saturday against the Blue Jays. The star outfielder has started three of four games since coming back from lower-body soreness. He's still looking for his timing, striking out three times since returning, but all systems are go for McCutchen.

McCutchen (lower body) went 0-for-2 with a strikeout Tuesday after missing 10 Grapefruit League games, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. McCutchen, who sprinted to make a fine, first-inning grab, declined to reveal the specific nature of his injury. "It was just overall lower body," he said. "That's it. Just being tight, not being myself. I'm just glad to be on the field again." The center fielder added he wouldn't have missed any time if the injury occurred during the regular season. "I would have been out there in a jiffy," he noted. It appears as though fantasy owners can take a deep sigh of relief.

McCutchen (lower body) will be in the lineup playing center field Tuesday against the Orioles, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports. He had an ice wrap on his knee Sunday and is not in Monday's lineup, but his return Tuesday is an excellent sign that he will be ready in time for Opening Day, as McCutchen has been claiming he would be.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington expects McCutchen to be in the Opening Day lineup "barring any setbacks" during the final two weeks of spring training, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. McCutchen, who was seen Sunday with ice wrapped around his knee area, believes he'll have enough time to prepare for the opener April 6. "Man, I'll be ready," the outfielder proclaimed. Manager Clint Hurdle added that he expects McCutchen to return to game action in the coming week. He's not in Monday's lineup against Tampa Bay.

McCutchen (lower body) remains out of the starting lineup Sunday against the Astros, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. "He had another full day of work activity Saturday and is feeling better," manager Clint Hurdle said. There's no reason to doubt the team, but fantasy owners would feel much more comfortable if McCutchen actually played in a game or two.

McCutchen (lower body) is expected to go through baserunning drills Sunday, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. There is still no target date for McCutchen to return to Grapefruit League action, but manager Clint Hurdle said he is progressing, and baserunning work is typically the final hurdle a player must clear before returning to games. McCutchen has logged just 14 plate appearances in five spring exhibitions to this point, but he has said he could play if it were the regular season.

McCutchen isn't listed in Thursday's starting lineup against the Orioles. There continues to be no panic around the team, as McCutchen takes batting practice daily and walks without a limp. Still, knee soreness before the start of the season throws up at least a little red flag. Manager Clint Hurdle has yet to give a timeline for his return.