The Phillies received a brutal injury blow Tuesday, as outfielder Andrew McCutchen was diagnosed with a torn left ACL and will miss the remainder of the season (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Matt Gelb). He sustained the injury yesterday in a rundown after the Padres let a Jean Segura pop-up drop.
Philadelphia signed McCutchen, 32, to a three-year contract worth $50MM in the offseason and was rewarded with two months of strong all-around play from the former National League MVP. In 262 plate appearances, McCutchen turned in a .256/.378/.457 batting line with 10 homers, 12 doubles, a triple, two steals and an NL-best 43 walks. He’d recently shifted over to center field after Odubel Herrera was placed on administrative leave by the league, but his injury will now leave the Phillies down two outfielders.
The Phillies flew 2017 first-rounder Adam Haseley to meet them for their upcoming series in the event of a serious knee injury for McCutchen, and he’ll now likely step into center field on a regular basis, with the newly acquired Jay Bruce manning left field. Bryce Harper will continue to patrol right field. In the long run, though, it seems quite likely that the Phils will be on the hunt for a potential upgrade in center field. Haseley has had an encouraging year in the minor so far (.275/.358/.466 in 204 plate appearances) but has only played six game above Double-A ball.
Roman Quinn is currently on the mend from a groin strain and could soon return to give the Phils another option in the outfield, but the fleet-footed 26-year-old has also yet to establish him as a big leaguer despite his long standing as a quality prospect. It’s a bit early for any legitimate center field upgrades to be available on the trade market, but the Phils will surely begin kicking the tires on some potential down-the-road options. Rebuilding clubs like the Orioles and Giants could make players like Keon Broxton or Kevin Pillar available, but neither has been productive in 2019 anyhow; seeing what they already have in Haseley and waiting for more appealing options to be made available is probably a preferable option for the Phillies.
That’s horrible. With his age and style of play, it may be the end of the road for him.
End of the road? If that’s what you think then you don’t know Cutch. Gives everything on every play. This will be no different…he’ll be back.
Are you serious? Many players have come back from torn ACL and had a decent career after. McCutchen is one of the hardest working guys in baseball. You sicken me
Naive or just troll? Cutch takes good care of himself and works his backside off. And he’s playing CF. WORST case sees him move to a corner. And that’s still not likely required. But end of the road? Give your head a shake, son.
Idk what all of you are talking about. Cutch has been declining a lot as he gets older. I MAJOR injury like this could very well be the end for him should he decide life outside of baseball is more important. He clearly signed with Philly because we wants a ring before he retires but an ACL injury is horrible news for someone who was in charge of patrolling center field. Do not be surprised if he calls it if is body can’t recover. Mental toughness can’t heal you
The idea that Catch has been in long decline is a myth. He had a terrible 2016, but since then he’s put up three straight solid seasons.
He’s not a star anymore, and this injury should decisively end his CF days, but he’s only 32. No reason to assume he cant come back for several more seasons as a veteran corner bat.
and the Phillies dreams for the season, unless Harper picks it up a ton. Cutch was the man and was on his way to a huge season. The Phillies have the potential pitching to win but they are going to need a lot more from Harper and maybe Bruce can pick up some of the slack
Adam Eaton seems fine.
Adam Eaton is 2 years younger… And he doesn’t seem like he’s doing particularly well.
DAMN
Omg, That is terrible, what a nightmare for him.
He got such a great contract too.
Heal up fast Andrew, the best to you.
Just when things couldn’t go any worst for us.
Shhhh. Things can always get worse.
Good point.
And also the guy with the torn ACL…
Dang, get well soon Cutch!
Andrew wish you the best. You were fantasy baseball stud for those last two months. Thank you for your contribution. I’m sure Philly appreciates it too
Well shoot.
Whoa. . . Sad sad news. Sucks big time.
Is Jean Segura no longer the greatest trade acquisition of all time according to Phillies fans?
Cutch wasn’t a trade
Jean Segura not running out a pop up is the reason he got hurt.
Segura fell down at the plate. It was less of a lack of hustle and more of a slip. I’m sure he fells awful about it, but no one will ever question Segura’s hustle.
Whatever happened to the infield fly rule?
Still there — runners on first and second (or bases loaded), less than two outs, popup that can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder.
In this case, he was the only runner, hence no IF.
You have to wonder if this isn’t going to get inside Segura’s head. That could be more bad news in the midst of a stretch where he’s looked pretty bad at the plate.
Segura was still a huge steal. The guy hustles all the time. This was a literal slip up.
man that’s a bummer. kind of makes me feel bad that kinsler pulled that move last night to get cutch caught up in a pickle that didn’t need to happen
Eh, I liked the play, really savvy, veteran move. Just a bummer Cutch didn’t run straight through it.
Was a smart play by Kinsler.. just lead to an unfortunate result for McCutchen.
He better watch his as when the Padres visit Philly in August.
Why you planning on jumping him in the parking lot?
Philly fans will give him Hell for this.
Putting him on par with Santa Claus.
They might, but they shouldn’t. Good veteran move. No one on the Phillies will be mad at him.
Phillies fans should be mad at Segura. Kinsler made a smart play.
He got 2 outs on a very smart play. You might as well say Cutch should have just stood there to be tagged. Would make just as much sense.
If Segura is close to first, that play doesn’t happen.
No, but Kinsler saw Segura dogging it. That’s a factor in it being a smart play.
Segura fell down on the swing. “Dogging it” is a bit unfair.
Fell down, but he was definitely was not trying to get as quick as possible.
Segura has been going to a knee and falling at the plate this whole west coast trip. It’s like he lost a bet to only take Adrian Beltre swings for 6 games. It has not been pretty.
You should blame the lazy hitter for the pickle that didn’t need to happen.
STOP IT.
Bruce-Haseley-Harper might be pretty good tbh.
Cutch loss is massive though. Crushing blow. The one guy everyone roots for.
For a law firm name.
Sign Carlos Quentin
Quinn will be back soon.
The question with Quinn is: For how long?
Trade for Pillar plus bumgarner
Pillar to Phillies.? Farhan make it happen. Fire Sale…
Seattle should’ve waited to trade Bruce. Could’ve had them cover more salary.
Because there are/were no other OF options available?
Added Santana to deal.
Braves fan here –
Get well Cutch. Never want to see anyone go down… especially not someone who has played the game the right way for so long. Hopefully he gets back sooner than later.
As a Braves fan, I truly hate this. Andrew McCutchen has always seemed like a class act, and I have always enjoyed watching him play. I hope this isn’t a career ending injury for him. I always hate to hear about injuries no matter who they are for. Unfortunately, it is an unavoidable part of almost any sport.
Corey Dickerson has proven to be a good replacement for Cutch once already.
Could be a good fit between buyer and seller.
Bryan Reynolds needs to keep playing.
Until Corey plays some major league games, I don’t think anyone is going to want him, certainly not for anything of value in return. I have no idea what the holdup is for Dickerson returning to the bigs, but he’s useless as a trade chip until that happens.
Bruce-Haseley-Refsnyder……
This opens the door for the Mets to take the East. Best offense in the division and best starting staff. Once we get nimmo, Cano and McNeil back look out! Great news to come home to.
LGM!
Classless.
didnt know Acuna/Freeman played for Mets
Best offense… Thanks for the laugh pal. Check the team BA! I didn’t know pot was legal in NY already. WILPONZI
Lol. Best off season? Come on.
Boogaloo is a Mets troll. It’s the only team he comments on so they must own a lot of real estate in his brain.
“This opens the door for the Mets to take the East. Best offense in the division and best starting staff. Once we get nimmo, Cano and McNeil back look out! Great news to come home to.
LGM!”
Typical New York trash.
Hey not a Mets fan but KMA with that comment about New York jack!
“Hey not a Mets fan but KMA with that comment about New York jack!”
If he doesn’t like the comment maybe he shouldn’t act like trash. Let’s not pretend that either fanbase NY OR Philly doesn’t have them.
Talk about trash…takes one to know one Bub…And I know I’m not but certainly you qualify! .You started this with the trashy comment not about Mets fans but New Yorkers in general jack_ass!
Always been one of favorite players. A true gentleman and class act all the way. Get well soon.
Cutch is one of the REALLY good guys in baseball… Will never forget how he gave Willson Contreras some love as he made his MLB debut by catching a 9th inning in a game against Pittsburgh.
I hope he gets back stronger than ever. Classy guy and he deserves a perfect recovery from this.
He did a lot with Make-A-Wish kids here in Pittsburgh also. He’d be out playing catch with kids before a game, playing video games in the clubhouse, having peanut butter sandwiches as part of a picnic in the outfield. Such a great person.
Heads up play by Kinsler. It’s a travesty it ended like that
First of all, Andrew is a great guy and a class act. I hope he mends soon.
As for filling his shoes, you can’t, but there are a two clubs that the Phillies have great relationships with and may be able to help. The Yankees and Pirates are getting a bunch of guys who are coming off the disabled list shortly. Therefore, a roster crunch making players like Marte, Dickerson, Shuck, and Melky of the Pirates available. The Yankees should be getting a bunch of IL players back at once forcing a trade or DFA.
The Orioles and Mets may be selling as well. I wonder what Trey Mancinii or Dwight Smith Jr. would look like in a Phils uniform. Matt Kemp of the Mets may be available too.
Is it potable that all of your maybe’s depend on what the Phillies have to trade unless they wish to pick up a pretty washed up vet to play a marquee position like center field if that indeed where “Cutch” was playing.
Also, what gave you the impression that the Phillies have a “great relationship” with the Yankees….don’t think there were any trades of note recently, and frankly aside from playing in the same state and probably 20 miles from each other don’t think that qualifies as a relationship.
That $50 Million 3 year deal he signed will make those rehab days go by very nicely! Just Saying!
So who is going to fill CF for them? No one you mentioned beyond Marte is actually capable. Even then that’s not an appealing bunch at all.
Why would the Mets sell? They’re right there for the wild card and it’s not like they’re chasing down the 27 Yankees in their division.
“Haseley has had an encouraging year in the minor so far”
Never a good idea to spend so long in a minor, even if things are looking good.
oh man. this sucks. I hate hearing about injuries like this.
My out of the box suggestion is Kole Calhoun. Last year of his deal on a reasonable contact. Similar offensive profile. His defense has slipped but I’d bet he could do at least as good as Cutch with the glove.
Don’t think the Angels are selling yet but they could be soon.
Actually he might come available, with Goodwin playing the way he is and Upton about to start a rehab assignment. The question is, what would the Phillies offer for him?
He was my favorite player to watch on this years team. I hope he can defy the odds and make a comeback but at his age with that injury…
As far as the team goes, they had too many holes to fill to begin with. It can’t all be fixed in one deadline. I don’t feel good about this year now and these last few weeks have been an eye opener about the organization.
It’s not a bad injury to come back from. Just a long recovery.
Castellanos to Phillies.
This sucks. Sorry this happened to him.
Can Scott Kingery play CF?
He plays it now at times.
Kingery can play any position. Gabe will be looking to slot him in as closer once they find an outfielder
Heartbreaking for a slumping Phillies team. Cutch was the catalyst. He was having a good year. This is a gut punch.
Such a silly, fluke play too.
Absolutely hate the Phils, but a huge fan of Cutch. Plays the game right, stays clear of drama. No doubt he comes back as good as before. The game needs him too.
Andy Green would be smart to bench Kinsler tonight.
Nah. The Phillies have no reason to be mad at Kinsler for making a crafty play. Segura slipped on his swing, was slow to get up, and didn’t run out his grounder. All the fault is on the Phillies, not Kinsler. No one is going to have any hard feelings except fans.
Kinsler did nothing wrong in this instance but Green would be smart to bench him anyway.
Hehe. Green smart.
Well #@&*
Halos on line 2 with Kole Calhoun
Terrible news. My favorite player in the MLB and I can’t even stand the Phillies or their fans. Hate to see this happen to players like Cutch.
Maybe the D-Backs are open to trading Ketel Marte to the Phills. Versatile guy who is in his first year as a centerfielder who is also having a nice season at the plate. The only thing is the D-Backs just extended him in 2018 to a very club friendly deal and they might try and contend this year
I hate the Phillies, but hate to see this. Catch has always seemed like a good guy as well as a fine ballplayer.
Quinn and his 52% strikeout rate. Can’t wait!
Hey Phillies, how about a middling minor leaguer for Leonys Martin? The Indians have a glut of outfielders, and quite frankly they’re going to need to start playing some young kids, as they’re sinking further and further behind the Twins.
Should of saved your money for a good outfielder instead of Harper. A .246 hitter you can find anywhere. Overrated.
Harper has already brought in a ton of money and excitement to the franchise. He goes on hot streaks. He goes on cold streaks. He is overrated, but also overly criticized. Looking at just batting average is foolish these days. Harper makes the entire lineup better. Also, the Phillies are not paying Harper much annually, they still have plenty to spend.
So yes. It’s fun to hate on the overpaid Harper, but I still think it was a great business move.
Foolish?! Someone else has been brainwashed.
Not paying much annually? Phil’s are paying him over $25 Mill a year. He has the highest annual salary of any player in Philadelphia history. Most MLB teams have never paid a single player that much annually in he history of their franchise.
You always go on about the amount of money he’s brought into the coffers… why does that even matter as a fan? When he whiffs 3 times and pops out a 4th in a 1 run game that his team loses, you think any fan gives a damn how many jerseys or tickets he’s sold? This is the dumbest point I see people make on here “welp! He sells the tickets. Good signing”
More money for the organization is always a good thing in terms of free agent signings.
By your same argument, why does it matter how much a player makes? It’s not like the fans are paying him.
Also, Harper has been hitting .333 over the last road trip, bunting through the shift, hustling on the bases, driving in runs, and playing solid defensively. Hate on him all you want. Phillies are not in 1st without him.
Love the signing and it didn’t financially cripple the organization at all. They could easily sign another big free agent. I expect them to make some splashes at the deadline.
My heart breaks for cutch, I remember 3 years ago when Mike Moustakas & Alex Gordon collided trying to go after a foul ball. Moose ended up with a torn ACL & Alex was a more minor injury with a broken bone in his wrist.
May God bless him and heal him he said he needed prayer
Michael Taylor could possibly help a bit.
After seeing the play this is what I expected sadly. Hope he comes back strong next year, and we find a way to weather this setback this year.
Let that be a lesson to little leaguers and every other level of baseball on upwards – Run hard to first.
I know Segura stumbled out of the box, but if he had been closer to first because of hustle, Kinsler wouldn’t have dared to try that move.
Pirates ought to make Starling Marte available in exchange for a decent pitching prospect or two.
No. They should not.
That’ll get you Dickerson, though.
I’m sure we are moving Marte in July or over the winter 31 due 11.5 next year 12.5 the following I don’t know if Philadelphia has the prospects to make it happen but pivetta Velasquez are both the type of pitchers they covet kingery would allow them to flip Frazier to bmore for givens I see only 1 Catcher in their top 20 prospects which sucks
It’s a shame how a torn ACL in September, 2008 ended the career of a 31 year old quarterback named Tom Brady. I wonder what he has been doing the past 10 years? Cutch will be back..
Bruce trade looks brilliant now, in-hindsight.
Braves fan here. First of all, I’ve always liked McCutchen and find this terrible news. He’s a great competitor and will miss seeing him play against the Braves this season. Secondly, barring any genetic anomalies there’s very little reason to say he can’t make a return next season.
Sucks when a dropped pop up is the reason this may have happened. Brewers pitching news our ace who got hurt on the bases and lost 2 years of playing time is back on his 30th Birthday. Mccutch will be back too
That sucks. I was hoping for him to do wel.