Pirates manager Derek Shelton said McCutchen was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs due to the veteran's knee being "a little cranky," Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The 37-year-old was activated from the injured list late last week after missing some time due to knee inflammation, and the injury is apparently still a bit bothersome. Shelton indicated McCutchen will be available off the bench, so it doesn't appear to be a major setback.