Andrew McCutchen was scratched from the Pirates' lineup Saturday with flu-like symptons. It's not a major concern. McCutchen should be back to normal within the next day or two. Starling Marte will replace him in center field.

Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer Sunday as a Pirates split-squad beat the Twins 7-4. It was McCuthen's first homer and just his third hit in 19 at-bats this spring. He'll likely start to warm up soon enough; McCutchen hit over .300 each of the last four springs.

Andrew McCutchen is studying efficient base-stealers in hopes of stealing more bases himself in 2013. McCutchen has the ability to steal bases -- he's swiped at least 20 in each of his four major league seasons -- so it's not out of the realm of possibility that he steps up his running game in 2013. In 2012 he proved that he can hit for both average and power, and if he does run more his fantasy value could go through the roof. It's definitely something to think about entering drafts this spring.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle informed fans at Pirates Fest on Friday that Jeff Branson will be named as their assistant hitting coach. Branson has served as the hitting coach at Triple-A Indianapolis for the past four seasons, and is very familiar with many of the young hitters on the Pirates roster. He and first-time hitting coach Jay Bell will look to improve an offense that hit .243 as a team and ranked 23rd in the majors with 651 runs scored in 2012.

The Pirates have hired Jay Bell as their new hitting coach. He'll replace Gregg Ritchie, who recently left the Pirates to take the head coach job at George Washington University. Bell, who played eight seasons with the Pirates, was the hitting coach for the Diamondbacks' Double-A affiliate this past season. The Pirates have also hired Rick Sofield as their first base coach and Dave Jauss as a major league coach.

Andrew McCutchen was removed from Wednesday's game after going 1-for-3. McCutchen fell out of the batting race at the end, but he still finishes his breakthrough year at .327/.400/.553 with 31 homers, 96 RBI and 20 steals in 593 at-bats. He batted .362 in the first half and .289 afterwards.

Andrew McCutchen hit a walkoff solo homer on Saturday, leading the Pirates to a 2-1 win over the Reds. With the score tied at 1-1 and one out in the ninth, McCutchen took Jonathan Broxton the opposite way for the decisive blow. The Pirates' center field has certainly tailed off in the second half but is still having an MVP-caliber season, hitting .329/.401/.559 with 31 homers, 107 runs, 94 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Andrew McCutchen (knee) returned to the Pirates' lineup Friday. McCutchen left Thursday's game against the Mets with left knee, but he's going to try to tough it out. The 25-year-old entered Friday's action just behind Buster Posey (.333 to .332) for the NL batting average lead.

Andrew McCutchen left Thursday's game against the Mets with left knee pain. McCutchen hurt the knee while trying to make a diving catch in the seventh inning. The severity of the injury isn't yet clear. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts before exiting and currently ranks first in the National League (if you don't count Melky Cabrera) with a .332 batting average.

Andrew McCutchen hit his 30th homer Thursday in the loss to the Brewers. It was a three-run shot off Michael Fiers. After a down August, it looked like McCutchen might fall short of 30 homers in his breakthrough season. However, he has six in 18 games so far this month.