PITTSBURGH -- As the Pirates took the field at PNC Park for the first time this season Friday, the player bolting to his position the fastest was Andrew McCutchen. The franchise icon made a name for himself roaming the outfield grass in the previous decade, but since his return to the franchise in 2023, he had primarily been a designated hitter.
For the home opener, he was back in right field, swapping places with Bryan Reynolds, who is able to hit but not play the field at this time due to triceps soreness. McCutchen took the rep in the field, and as he got to his station, he doffed his cap to those in the outfield seats, who were throwing love back at him.
"It means the most to me,” McCutchen said. “I know that you can't do this forever, so I try to play every day like it's going to be my last one. It's great to get that from the crowd. Obviously I haven't been able to be out in right to receive that a whole lot, so to do it here on Opening Day in Pittsburgh feels great and meant a lot to me, because who knows if I ever get that opportunity again.”
At 38 years old, McCutchen is hardly a spring chicken, but even in a 9-4 Pirates loss to the Yankees, he showed that he can still play on both sides of the ball. He racked up three hits at the dish against Yankees starter Max Fried, but his highlight play was this snag of a Ben Rice liner with the bases loaded, saving at least a couple of runs.
“It’s like riding a bike,” McCutchen said. “Some things you may lose physically, but when it comes to playing the outfield, I feel I can still do it. I may not be able to do it as much as I used to, but when given the opportunity, I know I can play a good enough outfield where I know I’m not hurting the team.”
The Pirates might need McCutchen to play the field more in the short-term. Reynolds can still hit – and went yard Friday – and the team needs his bat in the lineup.
"It shows the character of him and what he brings to the team,” McCutchen said of Reynolds. “A lot of people would say, 'Give me an IL stint and I'll come back.' He's still capable and able to swing it. He showcased that with a homer. He's going out there and playing ... Unfortunately, he's not 100 percent already in the season, but he's going to do his job, and we're going to do our best to support that and not make him feel like he has to rush back."
They also need McCutchen’s bat. If Reynolds is a bit banged up right now, that could necessitate McCutchen needing to play a corner outfield spot more in 2024.
McCutchen played the field in just 13 games across 2023 and 2024, and he didn’t take any reps in Spring Training. Manager Derek Shelton didn’t know how to define “consistently” when asked if McCutchen would consistently play the field, but he did offer, “I don’t think it’s going to be a ton, but we may see it more.”
“I think we have to be mindful that he’s 38, but it was a conversation that included him of, ‘Hey, do you feel comfortable being out there?’” Shelton said. “Don’t want to put him in any situation where he’s not like that, and he was full go.”
McCutchen is willing to oblige. He conditioned himself this winter to be in position to play the field, and it paid off Friday.
It’s hardly a given for a 38-year-old player, too. Before McCutchen on Friday, the last Pirate to start a game in the outfield at age 38 or older was Bill Robinson in 1982. Before him, it was Roberto Clemente in 1972. And for a longtime Pittsburgher, McCutchen knows very well the impact Clemente had on this team and his legacy.
“Always feel like I have a little bit of help out there when I'm in right,” McCutchen said.