James McDonald threw seven innings of shutout ball in a 5-0 win against the Braves on Tuesday night.

McDonald struck out only three and walked three and gave up more flyballs than groundballs, so it wasn't a perfect outing. He's been showing decent strikeout ability and up-and-down results in a Pirate uniform, but the main thing is that he's finally getting all the starts he can handle. At 26 and with 110 2/3 innings under his belt, he's actually had some seasoning and his strikeout ability alone makes him interesting in deeper leagues.

James McDonald fell to 2-5 after giving up three runs in five innings Wednesday against the Cubs.

McDonald pitched out of the stretch practically the entire game. He did a nice job working out of jams in the fourth and fifth innings, but he used so many pitches in doing so that he wasn't going to come back out for the sixth. He ended up allowing eight hits, walking two and striking out six.

James McDonald was rocked for the second straight outing, this time yielding six earned runs over 6 1/3 innings against the Dodgers Friday night.

McDonald started off when the Pirates acquired him at the deadline, but has come back to earth quickly. He has good stuff with an ability to miss bats, but is a ways off from the consistency fantasy owners need. McDonald walked two batters tonight and has issued 9 free passes in his last three starts.

James McDonald gave up just one run over seven impressive innings in Monday's 7-1 win over the Marlins.

The righty allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out six. McDonald didn't fare too well in his last start with the Bucs, but two of his three outings have been superb, as he boasts a 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20/3 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings with his new team. The Pirates looked to be getting a coup when they landed McDonald via trade last month, and he's making them look very smart thus far. He'll face the Mets Saturday.

James McDonald surrendered four runs in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday in a loss to the Padres.

McDonald went six scoreless last week in his Pirates debut, but after extending his scoreless streak to nine tonight, he gave up one run in the fourth and three in the fifth. He figures to be a shaky play in NL-only leagues going forward.

James McDonald threw six scoreless innings and picked up a win in his Pirates debut Thursday against the Rockies.

McDonald was acquired from the Dodgers this weekend for veteran reliever Octavio Dotel and may yet have a bright future in Pittsburgh. He held a strong Colorado lineup to four hits while collecting eight strikeouts against one walk. Dodgers fans are surely banging their heads this evening.

James McDonald, who was acquired from the Dodgers in the Octavio Dotel trade, will start against the Rockies on Thursday.

This means that Daniel McCutchen will head to the bullpen. McDonald, 25, only has five career starts in the big leagues, but has primarily been a starting pitcher in the minor leagues. He was 6-1 with a 4.41 ERA over 12 starts with Triple-A Albuquerque. With the ability to miss bats, he could get the opportunity to finally thrive in Pittsburgh.

James McDonald has been moved to the Dodgers' bullpen.

McDonald was shelled for four runs over five innings in his season debut Monday against the Giants and will not be given another shot. Carlos Monasterios, who's thrown up a 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 52 1/3 total innings this season, will take over McDonald's spot in the starting rotation.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre was non-committal whether James McDonald will start against the Mets on Saturday.

McDonald gave up four runs over five innings in a loss to the Giants on Monday night. "We haven't made that decision yet," said Torre. "I liked his stuff (Monday night). I just want to make sure I'm not jumping the gun just in case something else pops up." It's possible that the Dodgers could add a starter via trade, or even turn to Carlos Monasterios or John Ely.

James McDonald lost in his season debut after giving up four runs in five innings against the Giants on Monday.

It wasn't quite what the Dodgers were hoping for, but McDonald will probably get at least one more chance to show what he can do. He struck out five and walked two on the night, but the Giants got to him for nine hits. The Mets are up next for him.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre said that James McDonald was scratched from his scheduled start with Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

There's nothing official yet, but McDonald is widely expected to take John Ely's place in the rotation against the Giants on Monday night. McDonald, 25, has a 4.41 ERA over 12 starts with the Isotopes this season.

Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes that right-hander James McDonald will likely be called up to fill the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation after the All-Star break.

He would replace John Ely, who was sent back to the minors after consecutive poor starts. McDonald, 25, allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings for the Isotopes on Sunday and has a 4.41 ERA in 12 starts this season. Jackson calls McDonald a "temporary stopgap," and that could be the case if they acquire a starter at the trade deadline, but he would be worth an immediate investment in NL-only leagues.

James McDonald suffered a serious right hamstring pull while running the bases last Wednesday night with Triple-A Albuquerque.

"It's a significant strain," said Dodgers trainer Stan Conte. "It's not a small one. We call it a Grade 2 out of a possible three. We'll just have to see how long it takes. We don't believe it's a matter of days. It's longer than that." McDonald, who entered the year as a candidate for the starting rotation in the big leagues, is 4-1 with a 5.05 ERA through nine starts with Triple-A Albuquerque this season.

James McDonald pitched five hitless innings Thursday in his return to the mound for Triple-A Albuquerque.

He struck out five and walked two. McDonald missed one turn after leaving his April 18 start with a couple of cracked fingernails. He has a 3.57 ERA in 17 innings for Albuquerque.