A former Phillies fan favorite is back in the big leagues for an 18th season, this time with a new club.
Just weeks after inking a minor league deal, Andrew McCutchen officially made the Texas Rangers Opening Day roster after an impressive spring training stint.
It won’t be long before Phillies fans see McCutchen back at Citizens Bank Park, as the Rangers will open up their season this Thursday in Philadelphia for a three-game series. He is expected to make his home debut during the Rangers' first series in Texas from April 3-5 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Across eight games this spring, the veteran outfielder hit .421 to go along with a home run and seven RBI in 19 total at bats. This was good enough to edge out veteran outfielder Mark Canha for the final roster spot.
Rangers' Andrew McCutchen continues career resurgence after leaving Phillies
McCutchen, 39, spent three seasons in Philadelphia from 2019 through 2021 and quickly became beloved by fans. In 260 games with the Phillies, he hit 47 home runs and drove in 143 RBI, posting a .343 OBP. His tenure was cut rather short due to injuries and the shortened 2020 season, and he played just 116 games between his first two years with the team. He finished his stay in Philadelphia on a high note in 2021 as he hit 27 home runs, his highest mark since 2018.
Since leaving Philadelphia, McCutchen has gone on to play for the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates, a team he rejoined for three seasons before ultimately departing this winter. It was with Pittsburgh where he made his mark during his first tenure, as he was named to five All-Star teams from 2011 through 2015 and won the MVP award for the National League in 2013.Â
Overall, McCutchen has enjoyed a very successful MLB career so far, as he has compiled 2,266 hits, including 332 home runs, in 2,262 games. He ranks third among all active players in hits and fifth in RBIs (1,152). He will look to climb up the ranks as he embarks on another season of professional baseball.
While McCutchen is not expected to be an everyday player at this age, he provides the Rangers with some pop off the bench as well as veteran leadership as a mentor for some of their young players, including outfielders Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford. This is especially important for manager Skip Schumaker as he navigates his first season with the club - a season that begins in Philadelphia.