The Pirates have removed James McDonald from their rotation.

It's a move that had to be made, as McDonald has been a disaster for a couple months now, posting a 7.08 ERA in 12 second half starts. Kyle McPherson will take his place in the rotation starting on Wednesday, when he'll face the Brewers.

The Pirates are considering skipping James McDonald's next start Wednesday against the Brewers.

An official decision has yet to be made, but McDonald struggled against the Cubs on Friday, and has a 10.50 ERA in 12 innings (three starts) this month. If McDonald is skipped, Kyle McPherson would presumably take his place in the starting rotation.

James McDonald struggled through 3 2/3 innings, giving up four runs, Friday in a loss to the Cubs.

McDonald fell to 0-3 with a 5.71 ERA lifetime against the Cubs. It's been a very rough two months for him, and the Pirates would undoubtedly like to see him turn in a couple of good outings during the final two weeks to restore some confidence heading into the winter.

James McDonald was absolutely destroyed in Sunday's loss to the Brewers, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on six hits over just 2 2/3 innings.

McDonald racked up six strikeouts while walking one in the brief outing. Astoundingly, all of the scoring against him came via the long ball, with Ryan Braun, Jeff Bianchi, Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez getting in on the action. Aside from two starts against the Cardinals, he's been brutal in the second half of the season, watching his ERA rise from 2.37 to 3.90. He'll look to get back on track against the Cubs at home on Saturday.

James McDonald disappointed Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over five innings in a loss to the Padres.

McDonald looked off from the get-go, walking the first three batters of the game. The right-hander appeared to make strides in his last start, but this was another big step backwards. It's possible the Pirates will turn to Kevin Correia if McDonald can't improve his consistency. He'll take a 3.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP into next week's start against the Cardinals.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that James McDonald could be moved to the bullpen when the Pirates go back to a five-man rotation next week.

It's a bit surprising given how good McDonald was in the first half, but he's been a disaster since, posting an 8.71 ERA since the All-Star break. Kevin Correia was temporarily demoted to the bullpen after the Wandy Rodriguez acquisition, but he rejoined the rotation during a stretch of 20 games in 20 days, and manager Clint Hurdle said Correia is "very comfortable when he has the opportunity to start." The manager also said that the fifth starter will be someone that is the "most aggressive, throw strikes and make teams beat them with the bat." It could indicate McDonald's vulnerability, given that he's walked 21 in 31 innings since the break.

The Pirates have pushed back James McDonald's next start to Friday against the Cardinals.

McDonald was originally scheduled to pitch Thursday against the Dodgers, but A.J. Burnett will move up a day in the rotation to take his place. The Pirates are clearly hoping some extra rest will do the struggling McDonald some good. The 27-year-old right-hander has an 8.71 ERA since the All-Star break.

James McDonald was hammered in Friday's no-decision against the Padres, surrendering seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings.

McDonald walked one and struck out three in the rough outing. After allowing a leadoff homer to Alexi Amarista, McDonald cruised through the first four innings until imploding in the fifth. After getting the first out, he allowed a walk and then five straight hits, capped off by a three-run homer off the bat of Chase Headley. After a brilliant first half, McDonald has now posted a horrifying 8.71 ERA over six starts since the All-Star break. He'll attempt to get back on track when he squares off against the Dodgers at home on Thursday. Mixed leaguers would be wise to leave him on the bench until he is able to right the ship.

James McDonald turned in a quality start in a no-decision against the Reds on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings.

McDonald displayed much-improved command, walking just one while racking up seven strikeouts in the game. Scott Rolen got the Reds on the board with a two-run single in the first inning. The Reds struck again in the third, adding two more on a pair of RBI hits from Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier. McDonald will attempt to get back in the win column when he takes on the Diamondbacks at home on Thursday.

James McDonald won despite allowing six runs in five innings Wednesday against the Rockies.

Quite an oddity; McDonald is the first Pirates pitcher to give up six runs and win since Paul Maholm on Aug. 18, 2007. It'd happened just three times since 2000. McDonald has now struggled in back-to-back outings, but since today's was in Coors Field, it wouldn't be a good idea to overreact.

James McDonald had one of his roughest outings of the season on Friday, surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings against the Brewers.

McDonald, who displayed impeccable control in his last start, had trouble commanding the strike zone on Friday, matching his season-high with five walks while fanning just two. The Brewers jumped on him in the first inning, as Ryan Braun blasted a solo homer and Rickie Weeks followed with a two-run double. McDonald is still having a tremendous season, compiling a 9-3 record and 2.59 ERA, but he's now allowed four earned runs or more in two straight road starts. While it's difficult to bench your star pitches in fantasy leagues, perhaps avoiding his Wednesday start in Colorado would be a wise move.

James McDonald continued to dazzle opponents in a victory over the Giants on Saturday, striking out ten while allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings.

He continued to display impressive command of all of his pitches, allowing no walks for the second time in his last four outings. The only blemish on this day was an RBI single off the bat of Ryan Theriot in the sixth inning. One of the biggest All-Star snubs this season, McDonald posted a ridiculous 9-3 record, 2.37 ERA and 100/31 K/BB ratio over 110 innings in the first half of the season.

James McDonald went the distance Thursday in a win over the Twins, allowing one run in six innings in his first career complete game.

McDonald had made 60 career starts without a complete game. Considering that he's been asked to take on a heavier workload than ever before, we're not sure it was a good idea to ask him to throw 120 pitches in a 9-1 game tonight. McDonald has been simply outstanding in amassing a 6-3 record and a 2.19 ERA. Hopefully he doesn't wear down anytime soon.

James McDonald was terrific again on Friday, but picked up a tough luck loss against the Indians, allowing only one run on three hits in his six innings of work.

McDonald recorded five strikeouts and walked just two in the game. He's been remarkably consistent this season and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any start. With this impressive outing he lowered his ERA to 2.32 on the season and owns an elite 78/24 K/BB ratio through his first 81 1/3 innings. He's been one of the best stories in baseball this season, and will look to continue his dominance when he battles the Twins at home on Thursday.

James McDonald had a rare off night Saturday against the Royals, giving up three earned runs on five hits in just four innings of work.

McDonald walked two and struck out two in the brief outing. Yuniesky Betancourt's two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning was the big blow against him. He would have been in line to pick up a victory but was pinch-hit for with the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the fourth. McDonald has been extremely impressive this season, boasting a 5-2 record, 2.39 ERA and 73/22 K/BB ratio through 75 1/3 innings. He'll look to get back on track next week against Cleveland.

James McDonald allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings of work Sunday, improving to 5-2 in Pittsburgh's 6-5 win over the Brewers.

McDonald fanned eight and walked just one in his latest strong effort. The quality start was his seventh in eight outings, and leaves him with a 2.14 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 71/20 K/BB ratio through 71 1/3 innings. McDonald is almost certain to regress at least a little, but his dominant 2012 comes on the heels of slow but steady improvement the past two seasons. He'll get the Royals at home next weekend.

James McDonald carried a no-hitter through five innings in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Nationals.

Jesus Flores broke up the no-no with a double to lead off the sixth inning. McDonald ended up allowing three runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings while striking out a career-high 11 and walking one. He struck out nine of the first 12 batters he faced and finished one shy of Erik Bedard's franchise record with six strikeouts to start the game. He now owns a 2.68 ERA through seven starts this year and appears headed for a breakout.

James McDonald pitched extremely well in a losing effort against the Astros on Friday, allowing just one run on four hits over eight innings of work.

McDonald struck out eight and walked two in the game. He ran into a bit of trouble in the second inning, allowing the game's lone run to score on an double play ground out. The loss drops him to 2-2 on the season, though he owns an impressive 2.42 ERA on the season. He'll attempt to get back in the win column when he takes on the red-hot Nationals in Washington on Wednesday.

James McDonald turned in another strong performance on Saturday against the Reds, surrendering just one run on six hits over 6 1/3 innings of work.

McDonald racked up seven strikeouts and walked just two in the game. With the win, he improves to 2-1 on the season and lowers his ERA to 2.70. He really appears to be coming into his own, and now boasts an impressive 31/13 K/BB ratio through 36 2/3 frames. McDonald will look to continue his strong start when he takes on the Astros next weekend.

James McDonald whiffed 10 Braves hitter Monday, holding them to three runs on seven hits and two walks over 7 2/3 innings in a 9-3 win.

A victim of poor run support, McDonald picked up his first win despite finishing April with a 2.97 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. The 10 strikeouts were a career-high, and he now has 24 over 30 1/3 innings. McDonald should be owned in all formats and will try to keep it going this weekend against the Reds.