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James McDonald | Starting Pitcher

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Age / DOB:  (28) / 10/19/1984
Ht / Wt:  6'5' / 195
Bats / Throws: Left / Right
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

James McDonald (shoulder) might be moved to the bullpen when he is activated from the disabled list.
Gerrit Cole's promotion and Charlie Morton's return created a potential logjam in the Pittsburgh rotation and McDonald is probably going to have to be the odd man out. The 28-year-old righty owns a 5.76 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings this season. He is on the 15-day DL currently because of inflammation in his shoulder. Jun 17 - 8:52 AM
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

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Player News

Date:
James McDonald - S - Pirates

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that James McDonald (shoulder) has some work to do before being activated from the disabled list.

McDonald allowed eight hits and five runs over six innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. He retired only eight batters on three pitches or less, which is something Hurdle wants to see McDonald improve at. "That's not good enough," Hurdle said of the dearth of quick outs, "and you want more separation in the off-speed pitches. More improvements need to be made." McDonald is probably more likely to join the bullpen than the rotation once activated.
Source: Pirates.mlb.com
Jun 12 - 8:49 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald (shoulder) will make his next rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Indianapolis.

McDonald is scheduled to throw five innings and will be capped at 80 pitches. Even when healthy, McDonald won't be a given to rejoin the Pirates' rotation once he returns from the DL.
Source: Michael Sanserino on Twitter
Jun 5 - 10:40 AM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald (shoulder) pitched four scoreless innings in his rehab start for Double-A Altoona on Saturday.

A big improvement over his first start, when he allowed three runs and walked four in two-thirds of an inning. McDonald walked just one tonight. He's probably due to make one or two more rehab starts before coming off the DL.
Jun 1 - 6:57 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald (shoulder) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks over just 2/3 of an inning in his first rehab start with Double-A Altoona Monday.

There's been no indication that McDonald's shoulder gave him trouble, but obviously it's not an ideal showing from the right-hander. He clearly needs at least a couple more rehab starts before being activated.
Source: Pirates.mlb.com
May 28 - 9:03 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on May 27.

That's assuming he gets through bullpen sessions on Tuesday and Friday with no issues. McDonald is slated to go four innings and/or throw 65 pitches for Altoona, so he'll need at least one additional rehab start before being activated. He's not a given to rejoin the rotation once healthy.
Source: Bill Brink on Twitter
May 19 - 11:33 AM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald (shoulder) could throw off a mound next Tuesday.

McDonald has been throwing on flat ground with no issues. While he is coming along, he is still a long ways off from a return. With the Pirates having Gerrit Cole in the minors and other pitchers coming back from injury, it's possible McDonald won't have a rotation spot once healthy.
Source: Bill Brink on Twitter
May 16 - 6:59 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

There remains no timetable for James McDonald's (shoulder) return.

"McDonald is just still on hold," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. The right-hander still has some soreness in his pitching shoulder and won't be allowed to resume throwing until that goes away. He doesn't have any structural damage in the shoulder, but clearly it's still going to be a while before we see him in the Pirates' rotation.
Source: Pirates.mlb.com
May 13 - 9:00 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

An MRI on James McDonald's right shoulder revealed only inflammation.

McDonald has been given a platelet-rich plasma injection in order to stimulate healing. It's not clear at this point how long he'll be sidelined, but obviously it's a good thing that he doesn't have any structural damage.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
May 8 - 7:29 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

Pirates placed RHP James McDonald on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.

The injury might help explain McDonald's early struggles. He has posted a 5.76 ERA in six starts this season. Jeanmar Gomez will fill in for him on Tuesday night.
May 7 - 4:56 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald allowed seven runs over five innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

McDonald was largely ineffective in the outing, giving up eight hits and issuing five free passes. The right-hander has had ups and downs this year, but the ups don't seem to make the downs worthwhile anymore. McDonald can be ignored outside of NL-only formats. His next start will likely come Tuesday against the Mariners.
May 1 - 1:15 AM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald labored through five innings but escaped with a no-decision Thursday, allowing three runs in a 6-4 win over the Phillies.

McDonald gave up five hits, walked three and threw a wild pitch, needing 87 pitches to cover the five frames. He did enough to keep the team in it, though, and the offense rallied late. Much like he was last season, McDonald has been inconsistent so far, putting up a 4.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP through five starts. He'll need to tighten things up to avoid being replaced once all the Pirates' starters are healthy. The righty gets Milwaukee next week.
Apr 25 - 5:17 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald struck out nine while allowing just one run in six innings in the Pirates' win over the Braves on Saturday.

McDonald needed that after getting pounded by the Cardinals his last time out. The right-hander did walk four batters but only allowed two hits on the evening. McDonald has now turned in two really good starts and two not-so-good ones this season, so it's tough to know what to expect from him in his next outing Thursday against the Phillies.
Apr 20 - 9:39 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald was lit up for eight runs -- three earned -- in 1 2/3 innings by the Cardinals on Monday.

McDonald struggled with his command right from the get go tonight, but he still would have been out of the second down 3-1 if not for a Clint Barmes throwing error with two outs. It was McDonald's second straight poor outing after he allowed one run and two hits over seven innings in his season debut. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bench him with the Braves next on the schedule.
Apr 15 - 10:54 PM
James McDonald - S - Pirates

James McDonald limited the Cubs to one earned run over seven innings Thursday in a no-decision.

The Pirates weren't able to muster any runs until the ninth inning and wound up losing 3-2. McDonald did his part, striking out four batters and allowing only two hits over the first seven frames. He will look to keep rolling next week against the Diamondbacks.
Apr 4 - 3:20 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Russell Martin
2Michael McKenry
1B1Garrett Jones
2Gaby Sanchez
2B1Neil Walker
2Jordy Mercer
SS1Clint Barmes
3B1Pedro Alvarez
2Brandon Inge
LF1Starling Marte
2Alex Presley
CF1Andrew McCutchen
RF1Travis Snider
2Jose Tabata
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1A.J. Burnett
2Wandy Rodriguez
3James McDonald
4Francisco Liriano
5Gerrit Cole
6Jeff Locke
7Brandon Cumpton
8Charlie Morton
9Jeff Karstens
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Jason Grilli
2Mark Melancon
3Tony Watson
4Justin Wilson
5Vin Mazzaro
6Ryan Reid
7Bryan Morris