McCutchen gives Yanks OF insurance

Neil Walker called Andrew McCutchen Friday morning to welcome him to the Yankees, telling his former Pirates teammate he’s going to fit in well in pinstripes. Just one thing. “I told him he needed to shave his face,” Walker said of the typically bearded outfielder.

Aside from grooming, both sides were excited for McCutchen’s arrival in The Bronx on Saturday after the Yankees completed a trade for the 2013 NL MVP on Friday morning. They sent prospects Abiatal Avelino and Juan De Paula to the Giants in exchange for McCutchen, who had passed through waivers, with a little more than 12 hours to spare before the midnight trade deadline.

McCutchen is expected to be in the lineup and playing right field against the Tigers on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

“This is a big deal for us,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re getting a really good player. … I think his reputation precedes him. This is as high a character person as we have in our game and I know he’ll fit well in our room.”

While Boone said the trade should not be read into with regards to Aaron Judge’s status, the addition of McCutchen does give the Yankees insurance. Judge has not swung a bat, five weeks after going on the disabled list with a chip fracture in his right wrist, and though Boone said the club is “very optimistic” he will be back this season, there is still no timetable for his return.

If and when Judge gets rid of the lingering pain in his wrist, he will still have to get back to form, likely through simulated games and without the help of a rehab assignment. The minor league regular season ends Monday, though Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre entered Friday in a tie for a wildcard entry into the playoffs.

“I think this is something that just really helps us in the here and now and even when Aaron comes back, it’s another really good player to give us options to match up things how we want to,” Boone said. “But we believe Aaron will absolutely be back.”

Until then, the righty-hitting McCutchen will be an everyday player and an option in the leadoff spot, Boone said, especially against lefties. His presence will allow Boone to get Giancarlo Stanton and Brett Gardner days off that were harder to come by when the option to replace them in the outfield was Shane Robinson, who was batting .143 in 24 games.

In 130 games with the Giants, McCutchen batted .255 with a .772 OPS — both among career-lows — but Walker believes the 31-year-old will excel in his new home.

“He thrives in big situations and in the spotlight,” Walker said. “He proved that in his time in Pittsburgh and I think it’s going to carry over into this stretch for us.”

The two both broke into the major leagues with the Pirates in 2009 — McCutchen in June and Walker as a September call-up — and were teammates until Walker was traded to the Mets after the 2015 season.