James McDonald was lit up for eight runs on six hits and three walks over just three innings in Thursday's loss to the Marlins.

The longball did McDonald in, as Scott Cousins hit a grand slam off him and Brett Hayes got to him with a three-run shot. What a disappointing start to the season it's been for McDonald, as the right-hander now holds a 10.12 ERA and 1.98 WHIP over his first four starts. We still like his skill set, but you shouldn't go near him in fantasy leagues right now. McDonald will try to right the ship against the Giants the next time out.

James McDonald was smoked for seven runs -- six earned -- over 4 1/3 innings in Saturday's loss to the Reds.

The big blow was a grand slam by Ramon Hernandez that chased McDonald from the game in the sixth inning. All told, he gave up nine hits -- including two homers -- while walking two and striking out two. McDonald was a popular sleeper on draft day after posting a 3.52 ERA over 11 starts down the stretch last season, but remember that he gave up only three home runs over 64 innings. He has already allowed three in just 15 2/3 innings this season. Steer clear for now.

James McDonald struggled against the Rockies on Sunday, allowing six hits, three walks and five runs over six innings in Pittsburgh's loss.

He struck out just three. He got off to an awful start, allowing four of his six runs in the first inning, but had a chance to nail-down the win after the Pirates handed him a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning. His next outing should come on Saturday against the hard-hitting Reds.

James McDonald allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 3-2 loss versus the Cardinals.

He gave up four hits and four walks while striking out four in the no-decision. We liked McDonald's sleeper potential coming into the season due to his strikeout potential and his Tuesday start did nothing to dissuade that opinion. McDonald missed a couple spring training starts due to some soreness in his side and might have had to shake off some rust against the Cardinals.

James McDonald (side) confirmed that he'll be ready to make his start Tuesday.

McDonald missed a couple spring training starts due to some soreness in his side, but he appears good to go and doesn't expect to be on a strict pitch count. "No ceiling," McDonald said when asked how many pitches he could throw Tuesday. "I can go until they think I am tiring out." The right-hander threw 69 pitches in a minor league intrasquad game Thursday.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that expects James McDonald (side) to be ready to start against the Cardinals next Tuesday.

McDonald dealt with some discomfort in his side recently, but allowed one run over five innings against the Yankees' Triple-A squad on Thursday. While the Pirates probably won't win many games this season, the 26-year-old right-hander makes for a nice play in deeper mixed formats due to his strikeout potential.

James McDonald, who missed two turns with side discomfort, was able to pitch three innings in a minor league game without a problem Saturday.

McDonald remains penciled into the Pirates' season-opening rotation, which is why the team demoted Brian Burres today.

James McDonald (side) is scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Yankees.

McDonald has been sidelined for about two weeks due to discomfort in his left side. The righty is fully expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

James McDonald (side) threw a side session Sunday without any issues.

McDonald was pulled from his last start last Friday with discomfort in his left side, but it sounds like he is back on track now. He is scheduled to return to the mound on Wednesday for another side session, after which he'll presumably pitch in a game. As of now, we expect him to be fine for the start of the season.

James McDonald (side) is scheduled to throw off flat ground Thursday.

McDonald was pulled from a start last Friday with discomfort in his left side, but says he's already feeling "way better." Assuming all goes well Thursday, he'll throw a bullpen session this weekend and perhaps return to game action next week. He should be fine for the start of the season.

James McDonald will skip his next scheduled start due to ongoing discomfort in his side.

McDonald was lifted from his Grapefruit League start Friday against the Rays after complaining of soreness in his side and the Pirates are going to rest him for most of this week to be sure that he experiences no setbacks. The right-hander still has time to get back on track by the start of the regular season.

James McDonald (side) will be re-evaluated in the next couple days to determine when he'll return to the mound.

McDonald exited Friday's game complaining of pain in his left side after throwing a pitch. "I'm not going to be doing anything on the field today, but I feel like I'm capable," McDonald said Saturday. He was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA after coming over from the Dodgers last summer.

James McDonald (side) is unsure whether or not he'll be able to make his next start.

McDonald had to exit Friday's game after complaining of pain in his left side. In his short time as Pirates manager, Clint Hurdle has been unwilling to provide timetables regarding injuries, so we're kind of left in the dark here. It seems likely, though, that they'll play it safe and skip McDonald's next start or at least push him back.

James McDonald was lifted from Friday's game against the Rays with an apparent back injury.

McDonald was clutching the left side of his lower back while making his way off the field. He allowed four hits, two walks and two runs over two innings of work. It was his third start of the Grapefruit League schedule.

James McDonald and five Pirates relievers combined on a shutout of the Yankees on Tuesday.

McDonald allowed two hits in his two innings of work. One was a triple off the bat of Curtis Granderson, but it came with two outs and didn't do any damage. McDonald, who was 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA after coming over from the Dodgers last summer, could well be the Pirates' best starter this year.

James McDonald allowed just one run in six innings and struck out seven Wednesday, but he took a loss to the Cardinals anyway.

McDonald did get a break today, as the Cards sat Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday a day after being eliminated from the postseason. Facing a weak lineup, McDonald finished the season strong, going without walking a batter for the first time in 16 major league starts. He went 4-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 11 starts after being acquired from the Dodgers, so a rotation spot will surely be his to lose in spring training. He remains very intriguing.

Pirates manager John Russell said that he plans to monitor James McDonald closely in his next start Wednesday against the Cardinals.

"He's got one more start and he really, really wants to make it," said Russell. "I respect that. I think his next start he should be much more efficient." McDonald was only able to make it through four innings in his last start against the Astros last Friday and is up to 134 2/3 innings this season. It's uncharted territory for him, so despite his success since joining the Pirates, he could be a shaky streaming option Wednesday.

James McDonald was chased for three runs over four innings in a no-decision against the Astros on Friday night.

McDonald needed 42 pitches just to wiggle his way out of the first inning, so it was pretty obvious he wouldn't last long in this one. He gave up five hits and two walks while striking out four. It was his shortest outing as a member of the Pirates. Tonight's outing notwithstanding, the young right-hander has been mighty impressive since coming over from the Dodgers at the trade deadline, so we wouldn't shy away from using him as a streaming option against the Cardinals next week.

James McDonald limited the Diamondbacks to four hits and two earned runs over five innings Saturday, lifting his Pirates to a 9-6 win.

McDonald is a new man in Pittsburgh and surely has the Dodgers regretting their late-July trade for Octavio Dotel, who is now conveniently pitching for the Rockies. The 25-year-old McDonald has allowed just five total earned runs in his last four starts and is relevant in deep mixed leagues.

James McDonald twirled eight shutout innings but received a no-decision in the loss to the Mets.

He gave up just five hits, walked two and struck out four. McDonald has thrown 17 straight shutout innings and has a 3.49 ERA over eight starts with the Pirates. Yeah, the Dodgers really needed Octavio Dotel that badly. The right-hander will try to keep it going this weekend against the D-backs.