Daniel McCutchen has thrived in a relief role since being brought up in early April, posting a 2.05 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 30 2/3 innings.

McCutchen posted a 6.12 ERA and 1.64 WHIP last season over 67 2/3 innings while shuffling back-and-forth between Triple-A and the big leagues and starting and relieving, but it appears he might have found a home in the bullpen. After initially pitching in long relief, he's been worked into more high-leverage situations lately. "I'm really trying to go after guys, not give guys too much credit," he said. "I know if I can make my pitch, more times than not they're going to get out. Just simplifying pitching instead of complicating it."

Pirates recalled RHP Daniel McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis.

He's expected to serve as the long man out of the bullpen, with Jeff Karstens taking Ross Ohlendorf's spot in the rotation. McCutchen posted a 6.12 ERA in 67 2/3 innings for the Bucs last year.

Daniel McCutchen yielded one earned run over four innings against the Marlins on Friday night.

McCutchen was summoned out of the pen to make his ninth start of the season tonight. Even though he wasn't stretched out and was only asked to throw 53 pitches, it went well. Still, McCutchen's outlook isn't bright after failing to hold his rotation spot this season.

Making a last-minute spot-start in place of Jeff Karstens (back spasms), Daniel McCutchen twirled six shutout innings to beat the Pirates Wednesday night.

No one could have seen this coming. McCutchen entered the game with a 6.65 ERA and was 1-5 as a starter this season before being demoted to the bullpen. On Wednesday, McCutchen was striking out Albert Pujols looking. Karstens is expected to make his next start, so McCutchen will head back to the pen.

Daniel McCutchen has been shifted to the Pittsburgh bullpen.

The Dodgers acquired starter James McDonald from the Dodgers at the trade deadline for closer Octavio Dotel and will throw the 25-year-old into the rotation immediately with a start Thursday against the Rockies. McCutchen, 27, has a 1-5 record, a 7.94 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP over eight appearances (seven starts) this season. He'll operate in long relief and mop-up duty.

Daniel McCutchen could be shifted to the bullpen soon.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington said as much on Sunday and it certainly adds up. He's struggled to the tune of a 1-5 record, a 7.94 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP over eight appearances (seven starts) this season and the Bucs acquired starting pitcher James McDonald from the Dodgers at Saturday's trade deadline. Something could be done this week.

Daniel McCutchen allowed four runs (three earned) over 5 2/3 innings Saturday in the Pirates' loss to the Cardinals.

McCutchen walked a whopping six batters while giving up six hits and striking out just one. The right-hander actually lowered his ERA fairly significantly with this outing, pushing the mark down to 7.94 to go along with a 1.76 WHIP over eight games (seven starts) for the Bucs. If he gets another start, it will come against the Rockies next week.

Pirates recalled RHP Daniel McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis.

He will start Saturday's game against the Cardinals. McCutchen is 1-4 with an 8.58 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP in his stints with the Pirates this season. Keep him out of NL-only lineups until he shows effectiveness at the major league level.

Pirates optioned RHP Daniel McCutchen to Triple-A Indianapolis.

McCutchen lasted only two starts in the majors this time around and was shelled for four earned runs in five innings Wednesday in a loss to the lowly Astros. He will leave behind a 1-4 record, an 8.58 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Sean Gallagher is expected to take his spot on the roster this week.

Daniel McCutchen picked up his first win of the season on Thursday, limiting the Phillies to two earned runs over five-plus innings.

The Pirates picked up a 3-2 victory thanks to contributions from Bobby Crosby, Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata. McCutchen handled his business as well, striking out four Philadelphia batters without issuing a walk and lowering his ERA to 4.07. He will take on the Astros next week.

Daniel McCutchen is expected to be called up to start for the Pirates on Saturday against the A's.

McCutchen spent a little bit of time with the Pirates at the start of this season, but it didn't go so well and he was optioned to Triple-A Indy by the end of April. He has built some confidence down on the farm with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP over 10 starts. Still, we'd avoid him in most leagues.

Daniel McCutchen will return from the minor league disabled list and start on Tuesday for Triple-A Indianapolis.

The 27-year-old McCutchen was 2-2 with a 4.81 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP before complaining of arm fatigue last week and being placed on the DL. He's hoping to work his way back to the majors at some point this season.

Daniel McCutchen has been placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Indianapolis with right arm fatigue.

It doesn't sound like he will be out long. McCutchen, 27, found his way onto the Pirates' Opening Day roster this season, but rattled off a 13.50 ERA and a 2.17 WHIP in four appearances (three starts). He's unlikely to land back in the big leagues before the month of September.

Pirates option RHP Daniel McCutchen to Triple-A Indianapolis.

He's had a few chances to stick with the team, given all of the injuries and turmoil, but Daniel McCutchen just hasn't been good enough. If Brian Burres or Brian Bass can't hack it, perhaps we'll see him back in the bigs, but for now, he'll head back to Triple-A.

Daniel McCutchen was pulled after giving up six runs in 3 2/3 innings Thursday against the Brewers.

McCutchen has a 14.73 ERA through three starts, so it seems likely that he'll head back to Triple-A. Unfortunately, the Pirates are without any quality options to replace him, as Kevin Hart, Brad Lincoln and Donald Veal have all been mediocre at Indianapolis to date. Veteran Chris Jakubauskas hasn't been any better, but at least the Pirates wouldn't be risking any part of their future by adding him to eat some innings.

Pirates recalled RHP Daniel McCutchen from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Hope he didn't bother to unpack. McCutchen was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, but with Ross Ohlendorf unable to make his scheduled start on Saturday, McCutchen was recalled. He'll square off against the Cincinnati Reds tonight.

Pirates optioned RHP Daniel McCutchen to Triple-A Indianapolis.

That didn't take long. The 27-year-old right-hander was roughed for nine runs over just 3 1/3 innings against the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Pirates have two off days in the next seven days, so they can wait about 10 days before making a decision on a fifth starter.

Daniel McCutchen was lit up for nine runs while recording just 10 outs against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

He gave up six hits, including three homers, and three walks before departing. The bullpen didn't do him any favors by allowing the fourth inning to continue long enough for the Diamondbacks to score 13 runs, but the game was already lost at that point anyway.