Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen leaves game with undisclosed injury

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen left the team’s game on Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles with an undisclosed injury in the eighth inning.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the perennial MVP candidate “stumbled coming out of the batter’s box” when he grounded a ball. According to Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune, McCutchen didn’t run out the play and he “walked gingerly” back to the dugout.

Recent updates indicate that McCutchen said he’s OK – but that remains to be seen as the Bucs approach Opening Day.

Last season, he appeared in 146 games for the Pirates, hitting 25 home runs and driving in 83 runs. He did, however, miss time with a rib injury – the first DL stint of his big league career. In the last three seasons, McCutchen has finished in the top three in NL MVP voting, winning the league’s top honors back in 2013.

The four-time All-Star has averaged 24 home runs and 85 RBI per 162 games – also putting together an impressive .299/.385/.498 slash-line over the course of six professional seasons. He’s also taken home a Silver Slugger award in each of the past three seasons.

Andy Vasquez replaced McCutchen in the bottom of the eighth inning in center field.

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