Out for season, Andrew McCutchen reflects on return to Pirates, focuses on future

As Andrew McCutchen dealt with the shockwaves of a season-ending injury — a partial tear in his left Achilles tendon — he reflected on his return to the Pittsburgh Pirates with a focus on the future.

Most of all, McCutchen reveled in the reception from PNC Park crowds after a five-year hiatus. That proved to be cathartic for both the 36-year-old designated hitter and a fanbase that was still seething over the five-time All-Star and 2013 NL MVP who led the Pirates to three consecutive postseason berths being traded to the San Francisco Giants.

He then bounced to the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers before landing back in Pittsburgh.

“There are a lot of things outside of the game itself and the way that I played that I was really excited about,” said McCutchen, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Pirates. “One, just coming back here and being back here, getting the love from the fans every single day at home when I went up to bat. Those cheers never died down. They were always loud, and it was always good to feel that from them.”

Andrew McCutchen reflects on returning to Pirates and how his season unfolded as primary DH. pic.twitter.com/qWg942G3je

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 7, 2023

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Despite dealing with a sore right elbow and nagging left knee that limited him to eight games in right field, McCutchen, in his 15th season, continued to showcase his discerning eye and plate discipline as the designated hitter. He delivered his best batting average (.256) since 2019, led the Pirates with a .378 on-base percentage and 75 walks and produced 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 43 RBIs.

“That’s something he and I talked about,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “The fact that he did it a bunch last year, ultimately, prepared him for this year. He got more comfortable with what he’s doing between at-bats.”

McCutchen surpassed several career milestones by getting his 2,000th hit, 1,000th walk and 400th double. He was one home run shy of becoming the 13th active player — and sixth this season — to hit 300.

“For myself, personally, it was a decent year. I had some expectations going into this season. I just wanted to be better than I was last year,” said McCutchen, who slashed .237/.316/.384 with 25 doubles, 17 homers and 69 RBIs with the Brewers in 2022. “I felt like last year wasn’t who I was as a player. I felt like I was better than that, and I believe I was able to showcase that on the field.

“The numbers did improve. The homers weren’t there like I wanted them to be considering how I started the season. Things happen. We all adjust and have nagging injuries here and there. You have to battle through them. That’s pretty much what I did. No excuses. I just went out there and kept playing and grinding away.”

McCutchen wanted to finish with a strong September after what he called a few “below par” months, so it was “a little disappointing” for his season to come to a sudden end after reaching base safely in nine of 13 plate appearances this month and in a game where he hit a pair of doubles.

Shelton called McCutchen’s injury “disheartening” because of the quality of the at-bats he gave the Pirates, batting mostly third in the order (72 games) and occasionally in the leadoff spot (22).

Since McCutchen limped off the field in the fifth inning Monday, the Pirates used the switch-hitting Bryan Reynolds and lefty-hitting Jack Suwinski at DH the next two games. Shelton said third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, a right-handed hitter, also could rotate through as a way to get a day off from playing the field, depending on matchups. Veteran Miguel Andujar, recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis when rosters expanded last Friday, could be another possibility.

“Finishing up the rest of the season, it will provide a lot of the young guys opportunities to get at-bats,” Hayes said. “Whoever is in that DH role, another person will be able to play the field. Getting that experience the rest of the way, that opportunity is big for a lot of guys.”

Hayes learned of the severity of McCutchen’s injury from reporters after Wednesday’s game, so he was stunned to find that McCutchen was done for the season.

“I didn’t even know. It’s unfortunate,” Hayes said. “He’s been a great leader for us. Just having a guy like that around, he kind of controls the climate in the clubhouse. Guys look to him for his words after games. He did a really good job in the middle of our order. All around, he’s a really good dude. He’s what a ballplayer looks like.”

McCutchen hopes to play for the Pirates next season, again publicly expressing his desire to continue his career and preference to finish it in Pittsburgh in front of family, friends and adoring fans.

“That’s the expectation, right? I’ve vocalized that plenty of times about wanting to be here. It’s not gonna feel right anywhere else,” McCutchen said. “At the end of the day, I have to make the right decisions for myself, for my family. Whatever happens here, in the future, it’s indicative of that. I’m gonna rehab this, let this heal. Then when it’s time to get moving again, I get moving again. We’ll see where we go from there.”