McCutchen returns to Pirates' lineup after resting Achilles

The Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome their five-time All-Star back to the lineup Friday.

As manager Clint Hurdle expected, outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who missed action Thursday resting his sore left Achilles, will make his return when the Pirates travel to Busch Stadium to play the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Achilles issue has bothered McCutchen for some time, but it hasn't been serious enough to hold him out of action for a long stretch.

"My Achilles has been tight, and it's been nagging me. I wouldn't call it an injury, just something I've dealt with," McCutchen told reporters Thursday.

McCutchen is having another fine season for Pittsburgh, hitting .303/.404/.922 with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs.