All-star talent Andrew McCutchen is out of the lineup because he has a fractured rib. Despite his injury, the team is going to keep him on the active roster.

Although McCutchen being injured is a negative, he has not been placed on the DL just yet, according to CBS Sports.

McCutchen made comments on his injury. He is optimistic and is thankful that it is not as bad of an injury as it could have been. He is pleased he did not hurt his oblique.

“All I can say is it’s better than an oblique injury,” McCutchen stated. “It’s not my oblique, it’s cartilage off the rib, so those are two different things and that heals quicker than muscle. I think my body is pretty good and it responds pretty well to a lot of different things and I’ll be back on my feet in hopefully no time.”

On the season he has hit 17 home runs, has a batting average of .311, and has 67 runs batted in. He is an all around talent that has helped revitalize the Pirates organization into a serious contender in the National League.

The Pirates made the postseason last year, and McCutchen was the main reason for that. He won the 2013 NL MVP award, which proves he is the most important player in the organization.

In order for another playoff run to occur, Pittsburgh needs to have McChutchen in the lineup as soon as possible. The are only two games out of first place in the NL Central, as proven by MLB.com.