Andrew McCutchen Injury: Updates on Pirates Star's Lower-Body Soreness, Return

Andrew McCutchen has been the face of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball since he arrived in 2009. Fans haven't seen him on the field for a few days, though, and he doesn't have a timetable for when he will return as he deals with soreness in his lower body. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Continue for updates.

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McCutchen Returns to Lineup vs. Orioles

Tuesday, March 24

Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that McCutchen would be in the lineup Tuesday against the Orioles. 

On Sunday, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle commented on McCutchen's status, saying he "absolutely" expects his star to be ready for Opening Day. "I anticipate we'll see (McCutchen) on the field sometime this week," Hurdle said, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

McCutchen is the one player Pittsburgh can't afford to be without for an extended time during the regular season. He won MVP in 2013 and hit .314 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI and a .410 on-base percentage in 2014.

The Pirates are a team built on pitching and defense. McCutchen is the standout offensively, though Josh Harrison was a breakout player in 2014, and Gregory Polanco has the potential to be a star in his first full season.

Still, to make a postseason run in 2015, this team will need McCutchen healthy and playing at his usual MVP-caliber level.