Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen was back in the lineup Sunday after he left Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves after getting hit in the left elbow with a pitch.
McCutchen added an elbow guard to the protective gear he wears to the plate, prompting him to joke on Twitter that he might be wearing a "Robocop outfit" next.
Elbow guard✔️, Rib and Back guard ✔️, Shin guard ✔️, RoboCop outfit??? #WorkingOnIt
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 28, 2015The Pirates outfielder usually doesn't wear an elbow pad because of the way it inhibits his swing. He went 1-for-4 in Sunday's game, which the Pirates lost 2-1 to the Braves, hitting three long fly balls to go with his single.
"I just found whatever worked," McCutchen said. "I tried on a couple of them. Said, 'This one worked.' Pretty easy. Pretty simple."
On Saturday, the 2013 National League MVP winced when a 92 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Julio Teheran smacked into his elbow in the first inning. He was doubled over for several moments after getting hit. X-rays were negative.
McCutchen has become a popular target for opposing pitchers during his rise to stardom. He was tagged by Williams Perez on Friday night. Less than 24 hours later, he was drilled for the eighth time this season and 48th time in his career.
"Maybe I need to drop-kick a pitcher," McCutchen joked Saturday. "Maybe that will scare them into not throwing at me."