McCutchen (ribs) was placed on the 15-day DL prior to Monday's game vs. the Tigers, MLB.com's Tom Singer reports. The Pirates were initially expected to put McCutchen on the DL when he first suffered the broken rib on Aug. 3, but instead chose to wait a few days with the hope that their star would recover quickly. However, other than taking some swings and throwing from distance, McCutchen never showed enough progress to earn his way back into the lineup. With McCutchen sitting out each of the previous six games, he'll be eligible to return from the DL as early as Aug. 19. Gregory Polanco is expected to serve as the team's primary center fielder while McCutchen is out, with Josh Harrison covering right field for Polanco.

McCutchen (broken rib) is not in the lineup Monday. He will miss a seventh straight game with the broken rib, and Starling Marte will start in center field with Travis Snider in left. The Pirates still hope for McCutchen to avoid the DL, but he's going to come close to missing 15 days whether he's placed on the DL or not.

McCutchen (broken rib) remains out of the lineup Sunday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Sunday will mark McCutchen's sixth straight day out of the lineup, but he was able to take some swings and throw from 90 feet Saturday. Manager Clint Hurdle described it as a big step forward, and it appears the Pirates are content to continue holding off on a DL decision to see how he progress in the next several days.

McCutchen (rib) took swings and threw from 90 feet Saturday, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. According to manager Clint Hurdle, the activities are a big step for the star outfielder. A timetable for his return remains uncertain, but for now he continues to avoid a stint on the disabled list. Since McCutchen has not appeared in a game since August 3, the Pirates still have the luxury of backdating a DL stint, if they deem that to be the best course of action.

McCutchen (broken rib) remains out of the Pirates' lineup Saturday. Not much to see here, as McCutchen's status remains in limbo with the team waiting to see if he can make enough progress in the next couple days to avoid the DL. Manager Clint Hurdle said Friday that McCutchen has taken "a couple" of swings to test his level of pain with the broken rib.

McCutchen has taken "a couple" of swings, according to manager Clint Hurdle, and the team will continue to be patient in regard to a DL decision, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. "We're willing to stretch [a] few more days on his behalf," Hurdle said. Despite the seemingly severe nature of McCutchen's injury -- a broken rib -- the Pirates remain hopeful that he can avoid the DL. The clocking is ticking, however, and if he doesn't make significant improvement by early next week, the team may be forced to add some reinforcements. Starling Marte will continue to man center field in his absence, with Russell Martin batting third.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday that there remains "a chance" McCutchen (ribs) avoids the DL, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Initial reports suggested McCutchen could miss up to a month with the fractured rib, but he remains active for the time being. While Hurdle said the reigning NL MVP is improving, the team may not have a choice but to make a move if McCutchen isn't ready by early next week.

McCutchen (oblique) is listed on the Pirates' lineup card as a reserve again Thursday, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Diagnosed with an avulsion fracture involving his 11th rib earlier in the week, McCutchen seems likely to wind up on the disabled list, but the team is still holding out hope that his condition will improve enough in the next few days to where he can avoid the DL. Starling Marte figures to continue manning center field in his absence.

McCutchen (oblique) is yet to be placed on the DL, as he's waiting to see if his condition improves, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. It seems as though McCutchen is destined to hit the DL in the near future, but he continues to wait it out in hopes of finding a quick improvement. On top of the oblique injury, he's also dealing with some cartilage damage around his ribs. X-rays earlier in the week came back negative, which is a obviously encouraging, but McCutchen continues to experience discomfort that will keep him out of the lineup until further notice.

McCutchen (oblique) is expected to be placed on the disabled list, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.