The Texas Rangers designated veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen for assignment on Wednesday to clear a roster spot for infielder Nicky Lopez, who was signed to a major league contract.
The move could signal the end of the 39-year-old's 18-year MLB career.
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McCutchen joined Texas on a minor-league deal during the offseason and made the Opening Day roster. He started strong with a .
333 batting average and . 980 OPS through April 8, but his production dipped to .
192 with one home run and five RBIs in 37 games.
The five-time All-Star and 2013 National League MVP spent 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates across two stints.
Before the Pirates signed Marcell Ozuna and McCutchen moved to Texas, Pittsburgh general manager Ben Cherington discussed the team's roster strategy at PiratesFest.
"The job is to build a team that gives us the best chance to be winning games when you're at the ballpark in June and July," Cherington said.
Cherington added: "Our approach this offseason has been laser-focused on what gives us the best chance to win more baseball games in Pittsburgh than we have in the past seasons.
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That's going to continue to guide our decisions."
During a Pirates-Rangers series in April, McCutchen spoke about his status with his former club and said future reconciliation remains to be seen after his playing days.
"We'll see," McCutchen said.
He also commented on Pittsburgh's offseason roster moves: "They made a conscious effort to find ways that they can better themselves and get better, and they went out and they did that."
McCutchen added: "They've done a good job thus far. And hey, good for them."
Texas now has a seven-day window to trade McCutchen or place him on outright waivers.
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If he clears waivers, the Rangers can option him to the minors, but McCutchen can reject the assignment and elect free agency.
