Update: McCutchen has a fractured rib, not just an oblique strain
UPDATE 3:52 pm ET: It was just reported by CBSSports’ Matt Snyder that McCutchen did not suffer an oblique strain as was thought this morning. Snyder writes,
"Pirates star Andrew McCutchen was forced to leave Sunday’s game with what at the time was believed to be a muscle issue — possibly his oblique. As it turns out, though, the Pirates released a statement Tuesday saying that McCutchen actually has “an avulsion fracture involving the costochondral cartilage of the left 11th rib.”"
It is thought to have been caused by being hit by a retaliation pitch by Arizona Diamondback’s pitcher, Randall Delgado. Earlier in series Paul Goldschmidt had been hit by a pitch by the Pirates’ Ernesto Frieri, suffering a season-ending break to his hand.
McCutchen has not yet been placed on the disabled list contrary to original reports, however, he likely will be unless he heals suddenly and miraculously.
Original article 1:07 pm ET: The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the midst of a very close race to the postseason. Currently sitting in third behind the Milwaukee Brewers by a game and a half and just a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, the Pirates are also just a half game out of the a Wild Card spot.
They’re playoffs hopes may have just taken a large hit, however. The Pirates’ four-time All-Star and reigning N.L. MVP Andrew McCutchen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday according to a report by the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. He has a left oblique injury and could be out for up to a month.
McCutchen’s injury apparently surfaced during the eighth inning of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit a sacrifice fly and grabbed his side while jogging to first base. McCutchen need help getting off the field and into the clubhouse.
The Pirates’ Gold Glove center fielder was hitting .311 with 17 home runs and a league-leading 68 walks at the time he was moved to the disabled list. Obviously a huge offensive and defensive presence for the Pirates, McCutchen was also in the running to win his second and would-be back-to-back MVP Award this season.
This is McCutchen’s first time on the disabled list according to ESPN.com. McCutchen has played 843 out of 868 possible games since he was first called up from the minors on June 4, 2009.
McCutchen hit .333/.462/.381 for the Pirates in the playoffs in 2013, the team’s first playoff appearance since 1992. The Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds in Wild Card game but fell three games to two to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Division Series.