James McDonald limited the Rockies to one run and one hit over seven innings in a no-decision Wednesday.

McDonald had eight strikeouts, which is two more than he amassed in his first three starts combined. He has a 2.78 ERA for the season, but since he's a Pirate, he's sporting an 0-1 record.

James McDonald was removed after allowing one run and three hits in four innings Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

The Pirates probably would have sent McDonald back out if they were leading going into the fifth. As it was, though, they decided to pinch-hit for him with two men on in a game they were trailing 1-0. It didn't pay off immediately, as Nate McLouth lined out off the bench, but since the bullpen ended up throwing five scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory, it all worked out in the end.

James McDonald yielded three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Giants on Friday.

McDonald gave up six hits and three walks while registering only one strikeout. Obviously not what fantasy owners were hoping for. He's a shaky play in mixed leagues next week with a road start against the Diamondbacks on tap.

James McDonald held the Phillies to two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings of work Sunday, but got stuck with a no-decision in Pittsburgh's 5-4 victory.

McDonald struck out three and served up a solo home run to Hunter Pence in the fourth. McDonald got off to a rough start last season before settling down in the second half, and could prove to be a sneaky source of strikeouts in standard-sized mixed leagues.

James McDonald was torched for 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings by the Twins on Thursday.

McDonald was left in to get his work in, even as he walked seven batters on the day. He was coming off a start in which he allowed one run in seven innings against the Astros, but the ugly outing today takes his ERA back up to 9.16. His rotation spot remains assured, but if he doesn't turn it around, he could be bumped once A.J. Burnett is ready.

James McDonald limited the Astros to one run and two hits in seven innings on Saturday.

McDonald had given up eight runs in eight innings this spring before shutting down Houston today. He walked none and struck out three in the strong effort. McDonald should be viewed as a $2-$3 starter in NL-only leagues.

James McDonald took a loss to the Blue Jays after giving up two runs in two innings on Saturday.

McDonald was OK last year, going 9-9 with a 4.21 ERA in his 31 starts, but the Pirates need more from him if they're going to take a step forward. He has the best stuff of their returning starters, but since he's now 27, it's time to start wondering if he will put it all together.

James McDonald gave up three runs -- one earned -- on six hits and two walks over five innings in Sunday's loss to the Reds.

He struck out four and needed a whopping 105 pitches to get through the five frames. McDonald wasn't helped out by his defense in this one, but he's got to start being more efficient if he wants to take that next step. He'll conclude the year with a 4.21 ERA and 1.49 WHIP but should have a rotation spot sewn up for next year.

James McDonald allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits in six innings on Wednesday, but got stuck with a hard-luck loss in Pittsburgh's 2-0 setback in Houston.

He struck out six and walked two in his third consecutive quality start. Now the owner of a 3.54 ERA and 48/18 K/BB ratio in 53 1/3 innings since the All-Star break, McDonald will get the Astros again on Monday, this time in Pittsburgh.

James McDonald allowed three runs on five hits in six innings on Friday, taking a no-decision in Pittsburgh's 5-4 loss to the Cardinals.

He struck out five and walked three. The quality start was McDonald's second straight and third in four outings. Now the owner of a 4.22 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 120/65 K/BB ratio through 145 innings, McDonald will get the Astros in Houston on Wednesday.

James McDonald allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in six innings of Pittsburgh's loss to the Reds on Sunday.

All three runs came in the sixth, where McDonald served up a three-run bomb to Joey Votto. The quality start was just his third in seven outings since the All-Star break. He'll take a 4.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 115/62 K/BB ratio into his Friday start against the Cardinals.

James McDonald yielded three runs on four hits and three walks over six innings in a loss Tuesday to the Giants.

He struck out four and gave up a pair of homers. McDonald has allowed at least three earned runs in three straight starts. Coming into those appearances, he had tossed consecutive scoreless outings. He'll bring a 4.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP into a matchup against the Cardinals next week.

James McDonald twirled 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Braves Monday, striking out nine in a 3-1 win.

He scattered eight hits and didn't walk a batter, racking up 92 pitches before he was pulled. Since his last start of June, McDonald has allowed just five earned runs in five starts covering 29 2/3 innings (1.52 ERA). Though he's been inconsistent this season, he's now 7-4 and has his ERA down to 3.95, but that comes with an ugly 1.54 WHIP.

James McDonald yielded three runs on five hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings but left with a no-decision in Friday's 7-4 win over the Cubs.

He also hit a batter. McDonald had pitched well his last two times out, but failing to go deep into a game is nothing new for him. He's now walked 49 over 97 2/3 innings this season, good for a 4.5 BB/9 rate. Though he still has untapped potential, the inconsistency with McDonald has made him a less than ideal mixed league play.

James McDonald allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings as part of a no-decision against the Nationals on Saturday.

McDonald held the Nats to just one run over the first six innings of the ballgame, but was pulled after giving up a game-tying solo homer to Rick Ankiel. Though he didn't get a win, he managed to strike out seven batters in a start for the first time since May 13. He's generally been pretty solid since mid-May, so we wouldn't hesitate using him against the Cubs next week.

James McDonald returned to his losing ways on Friday, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks in just four innings of Pittsburgh's 5-2 setback against the Brewers.

He struck out seven. McDonald was coming off three consecutive quality starts after allowing 22 combined runs in his first four outings of the season. His first chance to get back on track should come on Wednesday in Cincinnati.

James McDonald turned in his third straight strong start on Sunday, holding the Astros to just three hits in six scoreless innings, but got robbed of a victory thanks to some shaky work from the Bucs bullpen in their 5-4 win.

He struck out eight while walking two. McDonald has now allowed just two total runs over his past three starts and 18 innings of work, lowering his ERA from 10.12 to 5.65. If a frustrated owner cut him loose after his slow start, it's time to scoop him up if he's still on the wire.

James McDonald held the Padres to two runs over six innings to win on Monday night.

McDonald has righted the ship with back-to-back strong efforts, lowering his ERA from 10.12 to 6.75 in the process. The lone damage against him tonight came on Jorge Cantu's sixth-inning homer. McDonald ended up with five strikeouts and one walk.

James McDonald finally put together a quality start on Wednesday, striking out three in six scoreless innings of work in a 2-0 Pirates win over the Giants.

He did walk four batters, bringing his K/BB ratio to an ugly 15/16 through 24 2/3 innings, but he'll surely take it after getting lit up for 20 combined runs in his past three starts. It's too early to say McDonald is "back on track," but if a frustrated owner recently cut him loose, he's a worthy flier in most formats.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle thinks James McDonald's out-of-whack mechanics have cost the pitcher some pep to his fastball.

"He's got to pound the bottom of the zone and curveball needs to be sharp," Hurdle said. "I've heard he throws 95-96. Did I see glimpses of that? Yes. But, sometimes, the velocity is not there because your mechanics are not in line. One could be the cause of the other. I am not going to hang everything on a [radar] gun... We'd like to see the crispness back, that's what I'd like to see." According to Fangraphs.com, McDonald's fastball velocity is down only slightly, from 92.3 to 92.0. Whatever the cause, he needs to fix it in a hurry.