MLB Player News

McCutchen is not in the Pirates' Thursday lineup against the Braves, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old will ride the pine for the second straight game, though he knocked a pinch-hit single Wednesday. McCutchen could return to the lineup Friday, as no reason has been given other than rest. Adam Frazier slides to center field to take his place Thursday.

McCutchen delivered a pinch-hit single in Tuesday's 12-5 win over Atlanta.

He led off the 10th inning with his hit, snapping an 0-for-15 stretch that dropped his batting average to .200. McCutchen would then go on to whiff in his second at-bat. The team hasn't yet revealed whether the outfielder will return to the starting lineup Thursday afternoon.

Goins went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a double during Wednesday's win over Milwaukee.

Goins is having a nice series against the Brewers, going 4-for-8 with a home run, two doubles and five RBI through two games. His glove should keep him in the mix when Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) returns from the disabled list, but Goins' .622 OPS doesn't move the fantasy needle.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with two RBI during Wednesday's win over Baltimore.

The slugger collected a pair of doubles in Tuesday's game, so this was a fitting followup. Vargas was struggling at the dish, and he hadn't been receiving consistent playing time, so the mini heater could earn him a few more at-bats in the immediate future. For the season, Vargas boasts a .270/.295/.527 slash line with five home runs, 18 RBI and eight runs through just 21 games.

Pederson (neck) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

While Pederson said he was feeling better the day after colliding with teammate Yasiel Puig in the outfield, he'll get the day to recoup as Chris Taylor draws his first major league start in center field. Pederson's status should continue to be viewed as truly day-to-day.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Braves, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

McCutchen's awful season may have hit its nadir over the last three games, during which he's failed to record a hit in 12 at-bats. Either out of loyalty to McCutchen or as a means of building up his trade value, the Pirates probably won't strip the former National League MVP of his everyday role this season, but manager Clint Hurdle hinted that McCutchen wouldn't necessarily reenter the lineup in Thursday's series finale. Hurdle will call upon Danny Ortiz to make the start in center field Wednesday.

Miller (abdomen) took swings, fielded grounders and also did some running Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was another step in the right direction for the rehabbing infielder, who'd taken some grounders on Tuesday as well. Despite what appears to be fairly rapid progress, there's been no update on yesterday's report that Miller is unlikely to be reinstated from the disabled list on Friday, the first day he is eligible for return.

Martinez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Astros, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Martinez has come out of the gate hot, batting .364 with six homers and 12 RBI in 11 games since returning from the DL, but he'll head to the bench for his first healthy night off. Tyler Collins will take over in right field in his stead.

Soler is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Soler has just eight hits in his past 30 games, so he'll head to the bench for a night off. Jorge Bonifacio will take over in right field to replace him.

Lewis (knee) is participating in all baseball activities and is expected to begin playing games at extended spring training in June, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Lewis seems to be well ahead of schedule in his knee rehab, with many initial timetables keeping him out of commission until mid July. It remains to be seen how his knee holds up in game action, but if all goes well, the Mariners project that the top prospect will be able to join Low-A Clinton sometime in the middle of June.