Legendary Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder Andrew McCutchen Activated Off Injured List

The former MVP is having a bounce back year with his former team, but the Pirates are on the verge of getting swept at home by the San Francisco Giants.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have activated outfielder Andrew McCutchen from the 10-day injured list, the team announced Sunday morning. Infielder Rodolfo Castro has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for the former MVP on the active roster.

McCutchen spent the minimum amount of time on the injured list, initially getting placed on it with right elbow inflammation on July 6.

The Pirates signed the 36-year-old McCutchen to a one-year, $5 million contract in January, bringing him back to Pittsburgh for the first time since 2017. The team's 2005 first round selection is hitting .268 with 10 home runs, 28 RBI, nine stolen bases and an .808 OPS through 74 games in 2023.

During McCutchen's initial stint with the Pirates from 2009 to 2017, he hardly ever missed time. The fewest games McCutchen appeared in after his rookie year was 146, and he averaged 155 games played with Pittsburgh after becoming a full-time major leaguer.

McCutchen won National League MVP in 2013, in addition to finishing third in 2012 and 2014 and fifth in 2015. Across those four seasons, McCutchen hit .313 with a .926 OPS, averaging 25 homers, 90 RBI and 19 stolen bases a year.

The Pirates are currently 41-51, which puts them 9.5 games back of first place in the NL Central and 10.0 games back of the third NL Wild Card Spot. According to FanGraphs, Pittsburgh has a 1.0% chance to make the postseason.

The last time the Pirates made the MLB Playoffs was in 2015, when McCutchen helped lead the team the three consecutive postseason bids. Prior to that stretch, Pittsburgh hadn't played a playoff game since 1992, when Barry Bonds was the team's star player.

McCutchen returned to action with the Pirates on Sunday, starting at designated hitter and batting third against the San Francisco Giants. Pittsburgh is attempting to avoid getting swept at home for the third time this season.

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