Andrew McCutchen Wants to Stay with Pirates - Sports Illustrated
PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen has played most of his professional baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and there's nothing more he'd love to do than to
www.si.comHere are the latest widely reported updates on Andrew McCutchen as of mid-April 2026.
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Texas Rangers minor-league deal and Spring Training invited: Multiple outlets reported that McCutchen signed a non-roster invitation (NRI) with the Texas Rangers for 2026, aiming to compete for a big-league spot in spring training. This marks a departure from Pittsburgh, with the veteran still seeking a path back to the majors at age 39.[3][4]
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Pirates future uncertain; openness to return remains: In late 2025 and early 2026 reporting, McCutchen expressed interest in staying with or returning to the Pirates, while the organization had not yet announced a reunion for 2026. He publicly indicated a desire to keep playing and to contribute to Pittsburgh if possible.[9][3]
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Recent performance context: Over the 2024 season, McCutchen produced solid but aging-line numbers, with around 20 home runs and a .232 batting average in about 120 games, which helped keep him in the conversation for a designated-hitter/left-field role on a competitive club.[2]
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Media coverage and fan interest: Team and national outlets have continued to cover his status, emphasizing his veteran presence and potential platoon role or bench contribution should he land with a MLB club in 2026.[4][9]
Illustration of current status:
- McCutchen is pursuing a 2026 MLB opportunity, with the Rangers offering a spring-training invitation on a minor-league deal, and there remains strong fan and media interest in a Pirates reunion if circumstances allow.[3][4][9]
If you’d like, I can compile a brief timeline of McCutchen’s 2025-2026 moves and summarize each source’s key points with direct quotes. I can also monitor for更新 and deliver a quick alert when he signs with a specific team or announces retirement.