The Atlanta Braves signed Andrew McCutchen to a minor league deal, perhaps giving the 39-year-old outfielder one last path to a World Series.
McCutchen was released by the Texas Rangers on May 28 after batting .192 with one homer and five RBIs in 37 games and striking out 22 times in 73 at-bats.
The five-time All-Star and former National League MVP has appeared in 2,299 games and has been to the playoffs four times in his 18 seasons but has never made it beyond the divisional series.
McCutchen has 333 career homers, 2,280 hits, 1,157 RBIs and 220 steals to go with a .271 average with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2009-17, 2023-25), San Francisco Giants (2018), New York Yankees (2018), Philadelphia Phillies (2019-21) and Milwaukee Brewers (2022). The Pirates selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
McCutchen grew up as a Braves fan and is slated to report to Triple-A Gwinnett.
“(He’s) one of the most respected players in the game,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said before Friday’s game against the New York Mets. “He’s a pretty cool name to have in a Braves uniform.”
Atlanta recalled Anthony Molina on Friday after optioning fellow right-hander James Karinchak to Gwinnett following Thursday night’s game.
The Braves also returned left-hander Danny Young from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list while designating right-hander Ian Hamilton for assignment.
–Field Level Media
