Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen has broken bone in rib cage

Andrew McCutchen has a broken bone in his rib cage, but the Pittsburgh Pirates’ All-Star center fielder hopes to avoid the disabled list.

McCutchen, last year’s National League MVP, was hit in the back by a pitch from Arizona reliever Randal Delgado Saturday night and left Sunday’s loss to the Diamondbacks at Phoenix in the eighth inning after feeling pain in his side when he swung at a pitch. He had to be helped down the dugout steps to the clubhouse and also needed help getting dressed after the game. He said he couldn’t be sure that getting hit had caused the injury but wouldn’t rule it out.

While McCutchen was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s home game against Miami, the Pirates are waiting before making a decision on whether he needs to on the DL.

Also Tuesday, the Pirates activated outfielder Starling Marte from the seven-day concussion DL and put third baseman Pedro Alvarez on the bereavement list.

Cubs call up Baez

Touted prospect Javier Baez, the ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft, was called up by the Chicago Cubs to make his major league debut Tuesday at Colorado. Baez, who will play second base, was the organization’s player of the year last season after hitting 37 home runs in Class A and double A.

Etc.

Washington claimed 37-year-old Matt Thornton off waivers from the Yankees, adding a third left-hander to a suddenly shaky relief corps. He was 0-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 46 appearances with New York. The Nationals also put catcher Wilson Ramos on the paternity list. . . . Toronto activated third baseman Brett Lawrie, who had been on the disabled list since June 22 when he suffered a broken finger when hit by a pitch from Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto. . . . Reliever Jim Johnson, the former Baltimore and Oakland closer released last week by the A’s after posting a 7.14 ERA in 38 games, reportedly agreed to a minor league contract with Detroit. . . . Right-hander Jacob Turner, once expected to be a key part of Miami’s future, was designated for assignment after going 4-7 with a 5.97 ERA this year.