​ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves added veteran presence to their lineup, signing former NL MVP outfielder Andrew McCutchen to a minor league contract on Friday as they seek steady offensive help. The 39-year-old McCutchen was released by the Texas Rangers on May 27 after batting .192 over 37 games as a designated hitter, pinch hitter, and outfielder. The NL East-leading Braves (50-35) had already added veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, 40, to a minor league deal last week. McCutchen, who won the 2013 NL MVP with Pittsburgh, is expected to report to Triple-A Gwinnett soon. On Thursday, the Braves designated veteran first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment as rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis was recalled from Gwinnett.
McCutchen spent his first nine MLB seasons with the Pirates, earning five straight All-Star selections from 2011-2015 and becoming one of the franchise’s most popular players. After stints with five other clubs from 2018-2022, he returned to Pittsburgh for the 2023-2025 seasons. In 2025, he hit .239 with 13 homers and 57 RBIs in 135 games before becoming a free agent. Over his career, McCutchen is a .271 hitter with 333 homers, 1,157 RBIs, and 220 stolen bases in 2,299 games.
Braves manager Walt Weiss praised McCutchen as “one of the most respected players in the game. … He’s a pretty cool name to have in a Braves uniform.” Weiss also said the veteran outfielder will be a strong mentor for younger players, noting, “He’s going to impact any room he’s in.”
In other moves Friday, Atlanta recalled right-hander Anthony Molina, activated left-hander Danny Young (elbow) from the injured list, and optioned right-hander James Karinchak to Gwinnett. Right-hander Ian Hamilton was designated for assignment.