Darnell McDonald has joined the Cubs' front office as a baseball operations assistant.

McDonald officially announced his retirement on April 6 after batting .250/.314/.397 over parts of seven major league seasons. The 35-year-old was hired to his new role Tuesday by Cubs president Theo Epstein.

Cubs reassigned OF Darnell McDonald to minor league camp.

McDonald hit just .222/.344/.296 over 15 games this spring. He'll provide depth at Triple-A.

Cubs re-signed OF Darnell McDonald to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

McDonald was outrighted off the Cubs' 40-man roster in early October, but the two sides maintained mutual interest and were able to work out a non-guaranteed deal for 2014. McDonald, 35, batted .302/.351/.434 in 57 plate appearances this past season for Chicago. He's a .250/.314/.397 career hitter in the major leagues.

Cubs sent OF Darnell McDonald outright to Triple-A Iowa.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. McDonald, who turns 35 in November, batted .302 (16-for-53) with one home run and five RBI in 25 games with the Cubs this season.

Darnell McDonald hit a three-run homer and doubles twice to lead the Cubs offense on Wednesday.

The homer was his first in 51 at-bats for the Cubs this season. In fact, he had just two extra-base hits total before collecting three today. This will give him something to remember his Cubs tenure by after he's dropped from the 40-man roster next month.

Cubs purchased the contract of OF Darnell McDonald from Triple-A Iowa.

McDonald is hitting just .236/.307/.346 this year in Triple-A. He is doubtful to hold fantasy value.

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports that the Cubs are prepared to call up outfielder Darnell McDonald.

This is assuming that Dioner Navarro will require a trip to the disabled list for his ankle injury. McDonald, 34, is hitting .236/.307/.346 with four home runs and 26 RBI in 92 games with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate this season.

Cubs signed OF Darnell McDonald to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

McDonald posted a .205/.297/.352 batting line in 103 plate appearances last season between the Red Sox and Yankees. He'll function as outfield depth for the Cubs.

Darnell McDonald has elected free agency.

McDonald has six years of minor league service time and was granted his release. He'll look to compete for a roster spot in spring training next season. Blake DeWitt (Cubs), Brian Bixler (Astros), and Evan Meek (Pirates) have also elected free agency.

Yankees sent OF Darnell McDonald outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

McDonald successfully passed through waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week. He'll serve as outfield depth at the Triple-A level.

Yankees designated OF Darnell McDonald for assignment.

McDonald managed no hits and struck out twice in his four plate appearances with the Yankees. The 33-year-old outfielder seems likely to draw interest on waivers.

Darnell McDonald is expected to be the corresponding move for Josh Beckett's return from the disabled list.

It's not clear if he'll be designated for assignment or placed on the DL. McDonald is currently behind Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava on the outfield depth chart and may not be completely recovered from an oblique injury earlier this season. The Red Sox will announce an official move prior to Saturday's game.

Darnell McDonald (oblique) will resume his minor league rehab assignment this weekend.

McDonald has already played three rehab games with the PawSox, but he has been with the Red Sox over past couple of days getting treatment from team trainers and taking batting practice. Barring any setbacks, he should be ready for activation next week.

Darnell McDonald (oblique) has stayed with the Red Sox to work with the team trainers rather than resume his rehab assignment.

McDonald had been slated to play his fourth rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket Wednesday, and it's still possible that he'll need another rehab game or two. Either way, he's close to being activated. "Darnell is pretty close [to coming back], it looks like," manager Bobby Valentine said. "He wanted to stay and work in the trainer's room, with our trainers, to kind of get over that hump. He took batting practice, looked pretty good. He's pretty close."

Darnell McDonald (oblique) will play at least one more rehab game before being activated from the disabled list.

McDonald is 0-for-8 in three rehab games with Triple-A Pawtucket. He's eligible to be activated from the DL Tuesday, but he'll play again for the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate Wednesday before possibly being activated Thursday.

Darnell McDonald (oblique) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Pawtucket.

McDonald, who is working his way back from a strained oblique, just began swinging a bat earlier this week. He is eligible to return from the disabled list Sunday, but we likely won't see him back with the Red Sox until the middle of next week.

Darnell McDonald (oblique) swung a bat Wednesday for the first time since landing on the disabled list.

"It was nice to swing," he said. "I felt good. I want to get back fast." McDonald is eligible to be activated in time for Sunday's game but probably won't be ready by then. He's been on the disabled list since May 12 with a strained oblique.

Darnell McDonald (oblique) was scheduled to take dry swings in the cage prior to Wednesday's game.

McDonald was placed on the disabled list earlier this month with a strained right oblique. He is eligible to return Sunday, but it's unlikely he'll be ready by then.

Red Sox placed OF Darnell McDonald on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 12, with a strained oblique.

It seems likely to be a longer than minimum stay on the DL. McDonald is batting just .179/.277/.357 this season, so he won't be terribly missed.

Darnell McDonald is batting just .182/.281/.364 over his first 64 plate appearances this season.

With the injuries to the Red Sox' outfield, McDonald has gotten a chance at ample playing time, particularly against left-handed pitching. He hasn't taken advantage, though, batting a paltry .192/.276/.385 against southpaws. The 33-year-old shouldn't be owned even in the deepest of fantasy leagues.