Pittsburgh Pirates
James McDonald
current status:
Right shoulder injury, 15-day DL
#53 P |
6'4", 205 lbs.
| Pittsburgh
Birth Date:October 19, 1984 (28 years old)
Place of Birth:Long Beach, CA
Hometown:Long Beach, CA
Bats:L
Throws:R
Bats:L
Throws:R
Experience:5 years
Drafted:Drafted by LA Dodgers in 2002 (11th round).
Acquired:Acquired in a trade with LA Dodgers in 2010.
Drafted:Drafted by LA Dodgers in 2002 (11th round).
Acquired:Acquired in a trade with LA Dodgers in 2010.
Season Stats
| G | GS | W | L | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29.2 | 29 | 24 | 19 | 1 | 20 | 25 | 5.76 |
| On Pace | 23 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 149 | 146 | 121 | 95 | 5 | 100 | 126 | 5.76 |
Scouting Report
| Assets: | Has an ideal pitchers' frame and plenty of big-league potential as a starter. Can also be used as a reliever. His pitches are hard to read out of his hand. |
| Flaws: | Has control issues that may curtail his big-league effectiveness as a starter. Must avoid the big inning in order to maximize his potential. |
| Career Potential: | Inconsistent but talented right-hander. |
Movements & Injuries
| 2013 | |
|---|---|
| 5/07/2013 | Right shoulder injury, 15-day DL (retroactive to May 1st, 2013). |
| 1/31/2013 | Re-signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates to a one-year contract. |
| 2012 | |
| 3/03/2012 | Re-signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates to a one-year contract. |
| 2011 | |
| 3/03/2011 | Re-signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates to a one-year contract. |
| 2010 | |
| 7/31/2010 | Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers. |
| 7/19/2010 | Recalled from Albuquerque (AAA). |
| 3/20/2010 | Optioned to Albuquerque (AAA). |
| 2009 | |
| 10/07/2009 | Did not make the playoff roster. |
| 6/19/2009 | Recalled from Albuquerque (AAA). |
| 5/14/2009 | Optioned to Albuquerque (AAA). |
| 2008 | |
| 9/01/2008 | Recalled from Las Vegas (AAA). |
| 3/10/2008 | Optioned to Las Vegas (AAA). |
| 3/03/2008 | Re-signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers to a one-year contract. |
Career Transactions
| 2010 | |
| 7/31/2010 | Pittsburgh Pirates traded Octavio Dotel to the Los Angeles Dodgers for James McDonald and Andrew Lambo. |
| 2002 | |
| 6/04/2002 | Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th round in 2002. |
Player News
|
James McDonald could throw off mound Tuesday | 05/16/2013 6:59 PM
News
James McDonald (shoulder) could throw off a mound next Tuesday.
Bill Brink on Twitter
Impact
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. |
|
No timetable for James McDonald's return | 05/13/2013 9:00 PM
News
There remains no timetable for James McDonald's (shoulder) return.
Pirates.mlb.com
Impact
"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. |
|
James McDonald only has inflammation | 05/08/2013 7:29 PM
News
An MRI on James McDonald's right shoulder revealed only inflammation.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Impact
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. |
|
Pirates place James McDonald on 15-day DL | 05/07/2013 4:56 PM
News
Pirates placed RHP James McDonald on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
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. |
|
McDonald allows seven runs in loss to Brewers | 05/01/2013 1:15 AM
News
James McDonald allowed seven runs over five innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
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. |
|
James McDonald labors through five | 04/25/2013 5:17 PM
News
James McDonald labored through five innings but escaped with a no-decision Thursday, allowing three runs in a 6-4 win over the Phillies.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
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. |
|
McDonald bounces back strong vs. Braves | 04/20/2013 9:39 PM
News
James McDonald struck out nine while allowing just one run in six innings in the Pirates' win over the Braves on Saturday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
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. |
|
James McDonald gets pulled in second | 04/15/2013 10:54 PM
News
James McDonald was lit up for eight runs -- three earned -- in 1 2/3 innings by the Cardinals on Monday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
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 allowing one run and two hits over seen innings in his season debut. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bench him with the Braves next on the schedule. |
|
McDonald pitches well in no-decision | 04/04/2013 3:20 PM
News
James McDonald limited the Cubs to one earned run over seven innings Thursday in a no-decision.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
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. |
|
James McDonald gives up four runs in loss | 03/30/2013 5:43 PM
News
James McDonald gave up four runs in two innings as the Pirates lost to their Double-A Altoona affiliate 8-6 on Saturday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
Well, to be fair, Altoona did get to use four Pirates pitchers, while the actual Pirates used just two before going with minor leaguers. Still, it doesn't look very good to lose to the Double-A team. McDonald was one of the NL's best pitchers for the first half of last season, but he hasn't really looked like that guy this spring. Mixed leaguers can do better. |
|
James McDonald goes four scoreless | 03/07/2013 5:36 PM
News
Despite some command issues, James McDonald shut out the Rays for four innings on Thursday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
McDonald walked three and hit a batter, but he allowed just one hit in the contest. It was a better showing than his last, when he gave up three homers in three innings against the Orioles. |
|
James McDonald gives up three homers | 03/01/2013 6:07 PM
News
James McDonald was tagged for three homers and four runs in three innings by the Orioles on Friday.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
McDonald had a strong case to make the NL All-Star squad last year before fading quickly in the second half. His rotation spot is assured right now, but the Pirates will want more consistency from him this year. |
|
James McDonald, Pirates avoid arb. | 01/31/2013 7:46 PM
News
Pirates avoided arbitration with RHP James McDonald by agreeing to a one-year contract.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
The financial details aren't yet available, but the midpoint when figures were exchanged earlier this month was $3.025 million. McDonald, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, posted a 4.21 ERA with 151 strikeouts over 171 innings last season. |
|
McDonald files for $3.4M in arbitration | 01/18/2013 7:55 PM
News
James McDonald requested $3.4 million and was offered $2.65 million from the Pirates when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.
Jon Heyman on Twitter
Impact
McDonald is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter following an up-and-down season in which he posted a 4.21 ERA and 151 strikeouts over 171 innings. Look for the two sides to settle somewhere around $3 million. |
Game Log
| Date | Team | Opp | GS | DEC | YTD W | YTD L | YTD SV | YTD ERA | CG | SHO | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/18/2013 | Pit | Hou | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/17/2013 | Pit | Hou | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/16/2013 | Pit | Mil | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/15/2013 | Pit | Mil | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/14/2013 | Pit | Mil | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/13/2013 | Pit | Mil | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/12/2013 | Pit | NYN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/11/2013 | Pit | NYN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/10/2013 | Pit | NYN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/09/2013 | Pit | NYN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/08/2013 | Pit | Sea | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/07/2013 | Pit | Sea | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Shoulder |
| 5/05/2013 | Pit | Wsh | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 5/04/2013 | Pit | Wsh | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 5/03/2013 | Pit | Wsh | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 5/01/2013 | Pit | Mil | 0 | - | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5.76 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| 4/30/2013 | Pit | Mil | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5.76 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 3 | - |
| 4/29/2013 | Pit | Mil | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/28/2013 | Pit | StL | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/27/2013 | Pit | StL | 0 | - | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4.38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| 4/26/2013 | Pit | StL | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/25/2013 | Pit | Phi | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4.38 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | - |
| 4/24/2013 | Pit | Phi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/23/2013 | Pit | Phi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/22/2013 | Pit | Phi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/21/2013 | Pit | Atl | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/20/2013 | Pit | Atl | 1 | W | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4.12 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | - |
| 4/19/2013 | Pit | Atl | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/18/2013 | Pit | Atl | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/17/2013 | Pit | StL | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/15/2013 | Pit | StL | 1 | L | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 0 | 1.2 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - |
| 4/14/2013 | Pit | Cin | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/13/2013 | Pit | Cin | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/12/2013 | Pit | Cin | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/10/2013 | Pit | Ari | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/09/2013 | Pit | Ari | 1 | W | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.75 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | - |
| 4/08/2013 | Pit | Ari | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/07/2013 | Pit | LA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/06/2013 | Pit | LA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/05/2013 | Pit | LA | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/04/2013 | Pit | ChN | 1 | L | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.29 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | - |
| 4/03/2013 | Pit | ChN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
| 4/01/2013 | Pit | ChN | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | DNP |
Career Regular Season Statistics
| Year | Team | League | G | GS | W | L | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Pittsburgh | NL | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29.2 | 29 | 24 | 19 | 1 | 20 | 25 | 5.76 |
| 2012 | Pittsburgh | NL | 30 | 29 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 171 | 147 | 85 | 80 | 21 | 69 | 151 | 4.21 |
| 2011 | Pittsburgh | NL | 31 | 31 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 171 | 176 | 86 | 80 | 24 | 78 | 142 | 4.21 |
| 2010 | Pittsburgh | NL | 11 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 59 | 25 | 25 | 3 | 24 | 61 | 3.52 |
| LA Dodgers | NL | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.2 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 8.22 | |
| Total LA/Pit | NL | 15 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71.2 | 70 | 32 | 32 | 4 | 29 | 68 | 4.02 | |
| Albuquerque | AAA | 12 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63.1 | 64 | 31 | 31 | 4 | 24 | 57 | 4.41 | |
| AZL Dodgers | R | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1.59 | |
| 2009 | LA Dodgers | NL | 45 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | 60 | 34 | 28 | 6 | 34 | 54 | 4.00 |
| Albuquerque | AAA | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30.1 | 21 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 14 | 40 | 3.26 | |
| 2008 | LA Dodgers | NL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Las Vegas | AAA | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22.1 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 28 | 3.63 | |
| Jacksonville | AA | 22 | 22 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 118.2 | 98 | 47 | 42 | 12 | 46 | 113 | 3.19 | |
| 2007 | Jacksonville | AA | 10 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52.2 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 16 | 64 | 1.71 |
| Inland Empire | A | 16 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 79 | 37 | 36 | 8 | 21 | 104 | 3.95 | |
| 2006 | Columbus | A | 30 | 22 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 142.1 | 119 | 72 | 63 | 15 | 65 | 146 | 3.98 |
| 2005 | Ogden | R | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 1.50 |
| 2004 | GCL Dodgers (OF) | R | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2003 | GCL Dodgers | R | 12 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48.2 | 39 | 20 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 47 | 3.33 |
| NL | Total | NL | 131 | 82 | 32 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 512.1 | 487 | 261 | 239 | 56 | 231 | 442 | 4.20 |
| AAA | Total | AAA | 23 | 22 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 116 | 102 | 51 | 51 | 9 | 45 | 125 | 3.96 |
| AA | Total | AA | 32 | 32 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 171.1 | 140 | 61 | 52 | 17 | 62 | 177 | 2.73 |
| A | Total | A | 46 | 37 | 11 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 224.1 | 198 | 109 | 99 | 23 | 86 | 250 | 3.97 |
| R | Total | R | 18 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60.1 | 46 | 26 | 20 | 3 | 20 | 64 | 2.98 |
2013 Game Highs
| TOTAL | OPP | DATE | LAST SEASON | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most Innings Pitched (Starting) | 7.0 | vs. ChN | Apr 4 | 9.0 |
| Most Strikeouts (Starting) | 9 | vs. Atl | Apr 20 | 11 |
Career Highs (SEASON)
| TOTAL | SEASON | |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 45 | 2009 (LA) |
| Wins | 12 | 2012 (Pit) |
| Losses | 9 | 2011 (Pit) |
| Innings Pitched | 171 | 2 times-last: 2012 (Pit) |
| Games Started | 31 | 2011 (Pit) |
| Completed Games | 1 | 2012 (Pit) |
| Hits Allowed | 176 | 2011 (Pit) |
| Runs Allowed | 86 | 2011 (Pit) |
| Earned Runs Allowed | 80 | 2 times-last: 2012 (Pit) |
| Home Runs Allowed | 24 | 2011 (Pit) |
| Walks | 78 | 2011 (Pit) |
| Strikeouts | 151 | 2012 (Pit) |
| Earned Run Average | 4.21 | 2 times-last: 2012 (Pit) |
| WHIP | 1.26 | 2012 (Pit) |
Abbreviations |
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