Pirates notebook: McCutchen returns to lineup; Cervelli, Mercer sit

Andrew McCutchen started Friday against the Angels despite leaving Thursday's game because of pain in his right thumb.Before Friday night’s game, manager Clint Hurdle posted his lineup: Shortstop Jeff Branson leading off, lefty Ray Searage on the mound, Hurdle himself batting cleanup. As he waited for the medical staff to examine the four players who left Miami with bumps and bruises, he played along with the uncertainty.

“[Francisco] Liriano’s hitting ninth, [John] Jaso’s hitting first,” Hurdle said when he met with the media, before the players, who reported late after extra innings Thursday and a flight that landed at 3:16 a.m., had a chance to test their injuries. “We’ll fill in the…