Symbolic, pragmatic factors propel Pirates' Andrew McCutchen to rare outfield start for home opener

The symbolism of 38-year-old Andrew McCutchen starting the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home opener in right field did not escape manager Derek Shelton.

“The last two outfielders to play right field (for the Pirates) at that age were Bill Robinson and (Roberto) Clemente,” Shelton said. “I think everyone knows what Cutch means to this organization and what Clemente means to this organization.”

After re-joining the Pirates in 2023, McCutchen has achieved career milestones such as 2,000 career hits, 300 home runs and 400 doubles during his second stint in Pittsburgh.

But now, he eyes another significant accomplishment: passing Clemente in home runs by a Pirate.

As he suited up Friday afternoon vs. the visiting New York Yankees, who won the American League pennant in 2024, McCutchen (236) was five homers shy of passing Clemente (240) for third all-time by a Pirates player.

While Shelton has more pressing considerations than McCutchen climbing up the franchise record books, being able to do right by the 17-year MLB veteran, playing career game No. 1,584 with the Pirates on Friday, and inserting him into the Opening day lineup was a priority.

“Him being out there (Friday) was extremely important to me,” Shelton said.

All that said, Shelton needed to be sure McCutchen, whose playing time in the outfield has decreased significantly since 2021, was up to the challenge.

Last year, McCutchen made only two starts (five total games) in the outfield, playing 21 innings.

Friday marked his first outfield action since June 23, 2024, with his last outfield start coming June 9.

In 2023, he started seven times in right field, seeing 64 2/3 innings.

Not since 2021, when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies, has McCutchen regularly started in the outfield.

That year, he made 131 starts before transitioning more fully to a designated hitting role in 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, a trend that’s carried over to his reunion with the Pirates.

Granted, that season he made 31 starts, all in left field, for the Brewers.

“I just had a conversation with (McCutchen) of, ‘Hey man, do you feel comfortable with where you’re at?’ ” Shelton said. “No. 1 for me, it’s really important that he feels like he’s in a good spot and his body’s in a good spot. I give him a ton of credit with how he took care of his body this winter. We have to be mindful that he’s 38.”

McCutchen himself has a pragmatic outlook on playing right field.

To begin this season, McCutchen has seen his role as designated hitter reduced because of Bryan Reynolds’ nagging triceps injury, which limits Reynolds to batting duties only.

With Reynolds unable to play the field and Shelton hesitant to deploy McCutchen there for health and maintenance-related reasons, Reynolds has stepped into the designated hitter’s role.

Entering Friday, Reynolds had been designated hitter in four of the Pirates’ first seven games, compared to McCutchen’s three.

“I just want to play,” McCutchen said. “Understanding Bryan’s situation and understanding that if I’m not out there, I’m not going to play — I don’t want to be sitting here just collecting a paycheck because all (the coaches) want me to do or all they think I can do is DH. I told (Shelton), ‘I’m good to go, put me out there.’ That’s basically it.”

McCutchen is aware of his body’s limitations plus the need to warm up his legs and throwing arm as much as possible before seeing game action in the outfield.

“The biggest thing is throwing, but I’ve been doing that — thank God I’ve been doing that — keeping my arm fresh,” McCutchen said. “Getting the reps and stuff, you can get that in batting practice. Other than that, I’m good. I’ve prepped my legs — got them in a good place before the season and spring training.

“Obviously, I’m not out there to try to make top-10 plays, understanding myself. Just keep the ball in front of me, catch the balls I need to catch and get the ball in. Simplify as much as possible.”

McCutchen showed no rust in the field during the Pirates’ 9-4 loss to the Yankees.

With the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, he tracked down a liner off the bat of Ben Rice, making a nice catch at the Clemente Wall to end the frame.

Just retire 22 already

WHAT A CATCH BY ANDREW McCUTCHEN pic.twitter.com/AT90lUqXlE

— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) April 4, 2025

Additionally, at the plate, McCutchen was 3 for 4 with three singles, leading the Pirates in hits.

Friday was McCutchen’s 11th home opener as a member of the Pirates, with whom he began his MLB career from 2009-17.

Taking the field in Pittsburgh in front of fans who have continued to embrace him will always be special.

“Obviously, I know that (I) can’t do this forever, so I try to play every day like it’s going to be my last one,” McCutchen said. “It’s great to get that from the crowd. Obviously, I haven’t been able to be out in right (field) to receive that a whole lot, so to do it here, opening day in Pittsburgh, it was great and meant a lot to me.

“Who knows if I ever get that opportunity again. It was great to do that, experience that and it just felt good being out there, grass under my feet, playing the game.”