Andrew McCutchen is out of a job.
The five-time All-Star was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Wednesday to open up a roster spot for free agent infielder Nicky Lopez.
After getting nine hits in 21 at-bats, including a home run and three doubles, during a brief spring appearance, McCutchen, 39, made Texas’ Opening Day roster after signing a minor league deal in March.
He was plugged into the Rangers’ lineup as their designated hitter on Opening Day.
McCutchen, who won the 2013 National League MVP with the Pirates, has struggled in two months since then, hitting just .192 with one home run in 92 plate appearances.
He’s been even worse of late, getting just two hits in his last 22 at-bats dating back to May 7.
McCutchen will now hit the waiver wire, where another team could take a flier on the veteran bat.
If he clears waivers, the Rangers could attempt to keep him in the organization, although McCutchen will likely look elsewhere for a big-league role.
McCutchen’s possible end in Texas comes after he was spurned by Pittsburgh, the franchise that drafted him No. 11 overall all the way back in 2005, over the offseason.
After spending his first nine MLB seasons with the franchise, McCutchen returned to the Pirates ahead of the 2023 season.
Despite maintaining that he wanted to come back in 2026, the Pirates looked elsewhere, bringing in veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn.
McCutchen would later voice his displeasure at not being invited to the Pirates’ annual preseason fan fest in January.
If this is it for McCutchen, he would finish his career hitting .271/.364/.455 with 333 home runs and 220 stolen bases.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
