Andrew McCutchen is beginning to heat up. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen is beginning to look like his old self.
The Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI single in Monday night’s 5-2 home loss to the Chicago Cubs. The 2013 National League Most Valuable Player was one of the bright spots for the Pirates on a night when they were held to one run and three hits in seven innings by Cubs starter Jake Arrieta.
McCutchen left the April 11 game at Milwaukee with soreness in his left knee then sat out the next day’s game against the Brewers.
McCutchen returned to the lineup for the April 13 home opener against Detroit. However, the next night, McCutchen looked hobbled as he slowed down on a ball in front of him, enabling Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias to stretch what appeared was going to be a single into a double.
“He had some challenges earlier in the week with his knee and seems to have played through them,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s been moving much better the last two games.”
McCutchen also missed 11 games in spring training for what the Pirates vaguely labeled “lower body soreness.” McCutchen said it was tightness but there was suspicion at the time that he was actually sidelined because of knee problems.
McCutchen raised his batting average to .238 on Monday. He has two home runs and 10 RBIs in 12 games.
