Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been trying to avoid a trip to the disabled list after suffering a an avulsion fracture involving the costochondral cartilage of his left 11th rib one week ago against the Diamondbacks. The Pirates have been taking it slow, giving McCutchen time to heal up, and it appears to have been the right call.
Via Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune, Pirates GM Neal Huntington said of the defending NL MVP’s recovery: “His progress has been remarkable. That’s the most apt word I can put on it.” Huntington continued:Huntington: “Is (McCutchen) game ready? No. But next steps will be to determine how quickly he can be game ready. He’s getting after it.”
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) August 10, 2014
The Pirates, who lost to the Padres 8-2 on Sunday afternoon, have gone 3-3 since McCutchen’s last start on August 3. The 27-year-old four-time All-Star was in the midst of another MVP-esque season, blasting 17 home runs, knocking in 67 runs, stealing 17 bases, and slashing .311/.411/.536.
