James McDonald (shoulder) might be moved to the bullpen when he is activated from the disabled list.

Gerrit Cole's promotion and Charlie Morton's return created a potential logjam in the Pittsburgh rotation and McDonald is probably going to have to be the odd man out. The 28-year-old right-hander owns a 5.76 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings this season. He is on the 15-day DL currently because of inflammation in his right shoulder.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that James McDonald (shoulder) has some work to do before being activated from the disabled list.

McDonald allowed eight hits and five runs over six innings with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday. He retired only eight batters on three pitches or less, which is something Hurdle wants to see McDonald improve at. "That's not good enough," Hurdle said of the dearth of quick outs, "and you want more separation in the off-speed pitches. More improvements need to be made." McDonald is probably more likely to join the bullpen than the rotation once activated.

James McDonald (shoulder) will make his next rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Indianapolis.

McDonald is scheduled to throw five innings and will be capped at 80 pitches. Even when healthy, McDonald won't be a given to rejoin the Pirates' rotation once he returns from the DL.

James McDonald (shoulder) pitched four scoreless innings in his rehab start for Double-A Altoona on Saturday.

A big improvement over his first start, when he allowed three runs and walked four in two-thirds of an inning. McDonald walked just one tonight. He's probably due to make one or two more rehab starts before coming off the DL.

James McDonald (shoulder) allowed three runs on two hits and four walks over just 2/3 of an inning in his first rehab start with Double-A Altoona Monday.

There's been no indication that McDonald's shoulder gave him trouble, but obviously it's not an ideal showing from the right-hander. He clearly needs at least a couple more rehab starts before being activated.

James McDonald (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on May 27.

That's assuming he gets through bullpen sessions on Tuesday and Friday with no issues. McDonald is slated to go four innings and/or throw 65 pitches for Altoona, so he'll need at least one additional rehab start before being activated. He's not a given to rejoin the rotation once healthy.

James McDonald (shoulder) could throw off a mound next Tuesday.

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.

There remains no timetable for James McDonald's (shoulder) return.

"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.

An MRI on James McDonald's right shoulder revealed only inflammation.

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 placed RHP James McDonald on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort.

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.

James McDonald allowed seven runs over five innings in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

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 labored through five innings but escaped with a no-decision Thursday, allowing three runs in a 6-4 win over the Phillies.

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.

James McDonald struck out nine while allowing just one run in six innings in the Pirates' win over the Braves on Saturday.

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 was lit up for eight runs -- three earned -- in 1 2/3 innings by the Cardinals on Monday.

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.

James McDonald limited the Cubs to one earned run over seven innings Thursday in a no-decision.

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 gave up four runs in two innings as the Pirates lost to their Double-A Altoona affiliate 8-6 on Saturday.

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.

Despite some command issues, James McDonald shut out the Rays for four innings on Thursday.

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 was tagged for three homers and four runs in three innings by the Orioles on Friday.

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.

Pirates avoided arbitration with RHP James McDonald by agreeing to a one-year contract.

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.

James McDonald requested $3.4 million and was offered $2.65 million from the Pirates when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.

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.