Pirates likely to be without Andrew McCutchen for portion of brutal stretch coming up

MCCUTCHEN OUT AT LEAST 2-4 WEEKS?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are anticipating being without Andrew McCutchen for a good portion of August. McCutchen could be out at least three weeks or a month because of what is believed to be a serious oblique muscle injury, Ron Cook of 937 The Fan/Post-Gazette reported this evening.

Per Cook, it is anticipated McCutchen will be placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday.

The Pirates plan to move Starling Marte to center field for the time period McCutchen is out. Marte appeared in his third rehab game tonight for Triple-A Indianapolis and was 0-4. In three games he is 1-12 with five strikeouts.

The Pirates intended for Marte to make four starts in Triple-A before being recalled, though, it’s possible McCutchen’s injury speeds up the recall by a day.

Another burning question is whether the McCutchen injury will now handcuff the Pirates to bring up Jose Tabata and add him to the 40-man roster? He was 2-4 tonight, his fourth multi-hit game over his last eight games with Indy.

Tabata was hitting .289/.327/.331 and .379 vs left handed pitching with the Pirates, prior to his demotion.

A potential three to four week absence for McCutchen will be problematic for the Pirates.

From August 11 – September 3, the Pirates play 22 straight games against winning teams: Detroit (4), Washington (3), Atlanta (3), Milwaukee (3), St. Louis (3), Cincinnati (3), St. Louis (3).