In a stunning development that has rocked the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and the broader MLB community, veteran center fielder Andrew McCutchen has been suspended indefinitely following a positive drug test, according to league officials.
The MLB released a statement early Friday morning confirming that McCutchen, a five-time All-Star and the face of the Pirates franchise for over a decade, tested positive for a banned substance during a routine screening. The nature of the substance has not yet been disclosed, and neither McCutchen nor his representatives have issued a formal statement.
Pirates bench coach Don Kelly, currently acting as head coach in the absence of Derek Shelton, was reportedly left “speechless” upon hearing the news. In an emotional moment during a press conference at PNC Park, Kelly said, “This is a devastating day for our team, our fans, and for Cutch himself. No one saw this coming.”
Sources inside the organization say McCutchen gathered teammates early this morning to make a “major personal announcement”, delivering the news himself before the suspension was made public. Players reportedly described the meeting as “emotional and heartbreaking.”
The Pirates have not named a replacement in center field, and the team is expected to address the media again later today. MLB officials say the investigation remains ongoing, and further disciplinary action may follow.
