NL Central Notes: Andrew McCutchen lineup change, Brewers rotation, Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates are re-thinking Andrew McCutchen's place in the lineup, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. What this symbols, more than just a lineup shift, is a change in the way that the Pirates are thinking.

McCutchen has hit in the third spot in the order in all but two of the last 628 regular season games that he has started. The Pirates are re-evaluating where the best player in the order hits, and it could force some changes throughout the game

More news from around the National League Central:

• Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue offered some reflections of the Cubs with two weeks left in spring training.
• Brewers manager Craig Counsell set his rotation, with Wily Peralta getting the Opening Day start for the Brewers. Behind Peralta will be Jimmy Nelson and Matt Garza in their first series against the Giants, with Taylor Jungmann and Chase Anderson rounding out the five-man rotation. Side note, all five men are right-handed.
• Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dipsatch broke down the Cardinals roster, which appears to be taking shape. Newcomer Ruben Tejada started and finished the game on Sunday as shortstop, likely pegging him as the guy to replace Jhonny Peralta on Opening Day.  That leaves utilityman Greg Garcia without a real place, although he is still likely to be the Red Birds backup infielder if they decided to have two of those. Aledmys Diaz, who was thought to be a potential shortstop fill-in, will report to Triple-A Memphis for some more at-bats.
• Matt Allaire of Red Reporter took a peak at what 2016 could hold for reliever Tony Cingrani.