Derek Shelton spoke before the Pirates' home opener today at PNC Park and touched on a plethora of topics, but spoke a lot about how they will monitor Andrew McCutchen's usage in the outfield moving forward.
McCutchen has been out of the lineup for the past three games as Bryan Reynolds (triceps) has been limited to just hitting and will be moving forward. When that began, Shelton said he spoke with McCutchen about the possibility of playing the outfield.
At that point, McCutchen began a throwing program to build up his arm after not playing the outfield throughout the spring. So, leading into today, Shelton said that McCutchen felt good with where he was at physically to play the outfield but he also doesn't think it's something that they'll do consistently moving forward.
"I don’t know what the definition of consistently is, but I don’t think it’s going to be a ton but we may see it more just because it’s gotta give us an option," Shelton said. "I mean we’re still looking to generate offense and Cutch has given us good at bats, not only this year, but in the past. So, trying to get his bat in the lineup is important and keeping Bryan’s bat in the lineup, obviously, is extremely important. The other thing we have to think about is Cutch is 38 and hasn’t played the outfield consistently for almost three years, three and a half years, so we have to be thoughtful of his legs because we need him at the plate also."
The sixth-year manager said he also took the Pirates' home opener into consideration when deciding to start McCutchen in the outfield as he joins Bill Robinson and Roberto Clemente as the only Pirates to play right field at 38 years old.
"I know it was something very important to me but first and foremost, Cutch had to be in a good spot to do this," Shelton said. "Cutch is a person that means a lot to this organization and a lot to this city, so him being out there today was extremely important to me. The most important thing was Cutch was in a good spot with it. But it was front-of-mind for me.”
• Reynolds was re-evaluated yesterday and he very limited when it comes to throwing "if any throwing at all." First base is also not in the cards for Reynolds moving forward because he would still have to throw.
• Shelton on his first impression of Alexander Canario: "Initial reaction because I just met him yesterday for the first time is he's a big kid and from what I've heard he hits the ball really hard. So, I think we'll get a look at him once he gets in a game. But from the people that I've talked to at other places he's been they said when he impacts the ball it's pretty impressive."
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
5:06 pm - 04.04.2025NORTH SHOREShelton: Mindful about McCutchen
Derek Shelton spoke before the Pirates' home opener today at PNC Park and touched on a plethora of topics, but spoke a lot about how they will monitor Andrew McCutchen's usage in the outfield moving forward.
McCutchen has been out of the lineup for the past three games as Bryan Reynolds (triceps) has been limited to just hitting and will be moving forward. When that began, Shelton said he spoke with McCutchen about the possibility of playing the outfield.
At that point, McCutchen began a throwing program to build up his arm after not playing the outfield throughout the spring. So, leading into today, Shelton said that McCutchen felt good with where he was at physically to play the outfield but he also doesn't think it's something that they'll do consistently moving forward.
"I don’t know what the definition of consistently is, but I don’t think it’s going to be a ton but we may see it more just because it’s gotta give us an option," Shelton said. "I mean we’re still looking to generate offense and Cutch has given us good at bats, not only this year, but in the past. So, trying to get his bat in the lineup is important and keeping Bryan’s bat in the lineup, obviously, is extremely important. The other thing we have to think about is Cutch is 38 and hasn’t played the outfield consistently for almost three years, three and a half years, so we have to be thoughtful of his legs because we need him at the plate also."
The sixth-year manager said he also took the Pirates' home opener into consideration when deciding to start McCutchen in the outfield as he joins Bill Robinson and Roberto Clemente as the only Pirates to play right field at 38 years old.
"I know it was something very important to me but first and foremost, Cutch had to be in a good spot to do this," Shelton said. "Cutch is a person that means a lot to this organization and a lot to this city, so him being out there today was extremely important to me. The most important thing was Cutch was in a good spot with it. But it was front-of-mind for me.”
• Reynolds was re-evaluated yesterday and he very limited when it comes to throwing "if any throwing at all." First base is also not in the cards for Reynolds moving forward because he would still have to throw.
• Shelton on his first impression of Alexander Canario: "Initial reaction because I just met him yesterday for the first time is he's a big kid and from what I've heard he hits the ball really hard. So, I think we'll get a look at him once he gets in a game. But from the people that I've talked to at other places he's been they said when he impacts the ball it's pretty impressive."
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