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When Andrew McCutchen decided to sign a one-year, $5 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates, fans were thrilled. After a six-year hiatus from the team that drafted him and gave him his name, the star returned for one last show before retiring.
Due to this, Pirates fans were very disappointed when it was announced that the 36-year-old would return from his short stint at IL. Andrew McCutchen was assigned to IL for ten days on July 6 due to a sore shoulder.
Although many fans originally feared the worst, the team announced on July 16 that McCutchen would be activated, and he was expected to be in the lineup on Sunday.
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“We activated OF/DH Andrew McCutchen from the 10-day injured list, and selected INF Rodolfo Castro to Triple-A Indianapolis. RHP Quinn Priester has also been added to the cab squad.” – Pittsburgh Pirates
To replace McCutchen, the team decided to bring wrestler Rodolfo Castro back to Triple-A Indianapolis. In 78 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, the 24-year-old Castro hit .228/.317/.355 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI. According to most fans, they wanted someone else to be sent instead of McCutcheon coming back.
Comments poured in as part of the news update targeting Buccaneers catcher Austin Hedges. Hedges, 30, has hit a meager .175/.226/.227 this season and is under a similar contract as Andrew McCutcheon.
While there is no question that Hedges’ hitting was sub-par, defensive limitations leave the Pirates little choice. Second-string catcher Jason DeLay has yet to call up a full-time MLB pitcher.
Although McCutcheon’s return is a momentous occasion, it seems increasingly likely that the Steeldown star’s final season will end the same way most of his previous seasons did. With a 41-51 record, the team stands in fourth place in the NL Central, 9.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Andrew McCutcheon passing the torch to a fresh and young Pirates team
Another exciting NL Central team, the Pirates are similar to the Cincinnati Reds when it comes to exciting young talent. Although 13 years separate the birth of Andrew McCutcheon and young electrician Ji Hwan Pai, the two intertwine in a representation of the succession of generations.
It may take a decent amount of time before a team can be seriously competitive. However, McCutcheon’s wife could very well live at the club long after he’s gone.
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