McDonald has decided to retire from baseball.

McDonald has played in the majors dating back to 1999 with the Indians, batting .233/.273/.323 with 28 home runs and 110 RBI over the course of his career. Although he wasn't a full-time player, he spent a lot of time in the majors over the years as a utility infielder.

Angels purchased the contract of INF John McDonald from Triple-A Salt Lake.

McDonald, a non-roster invitee this spring, has won a spot on the Angels' roster as a utility infielder. The 39-year-old is a useful player to have around, but he offers zero fantasy value.

John McDonald went 1-for-4 as the Angels fell to the Cubs 4-2 on Monday.

In the Angels' other split-squad game, Grant Green made a costly throwing error which contributed to Joe Smith blowing the save in the ninth inning. McDonald, Green's competition as the team's utility infielder, was reported as the favorite to win the job on Friday.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports that John McDonald "appears to have a slight edge" over Grant Green and Andrew Romine for the Angels' utility infielder spot.

McDonald is obviously known for his defense, but he's also hitting .462 (6-for-13) this spring. "He's a magician with his hands," manager Mike Scioscia said of McDonald. "You always knew what he could do with his field sense. Now that you have him in the clubhouse and the dugout and in meetings, this guy has a special understanding of infield play. He's fun to be around."

Angels signed INF John McDonald to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

McDonald batted just .116/.197/.174 in 77 plate appearances last season between the Pirates, Indians, Phillies and Red Sox. The 39-year-old will be battling for a utility infield job this spring in Angels camp.

Red Sox acquired SS John McDonald from the Phillies for RHP Nefi Ogando.

McDonald will serve as infield depth for the Red Sox. McDonald is batting .098 (6-for-61) this season.

Phillies acquired INF John McDonald from the Indians for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

McDonald was designated for assignment by Cleveland on Wednesday afternoon to clear a roster spot for Asdrubal Cabrera's triumphant return from the disabled list. The 38-year-old can play all around the infield but owns a weak .236/.274/.327 batting line in the majors.

Indians designated INF John McDonald for assignment.

The move clears a spot for Asdrubal Cabrera's return from the disabled list. McDonald, who was acquired from the Pirates earlier this month, went 0-for-7 in eight games with the club.

Indians acquired INF John McDonald from the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

McDonald had been on the DL with a back injury, but he'll join the Indians' active roster. The slick-fielding infielder will provide depth at multiple positions.

John McDonald (back) is also dealing with a right elbow injury.

McDonald landed on the DL last week with a lower back strain, but his elbow has also been an issue. The infielder is eligible to return from the DL on May 30, but it's not clear if he'll be ready at that time.

Pirates placed INF John McDonald on the 15-day disabled list with lower back discomfort.

McDonald suffered the injury during Tuesday's game and will now get some extended rest. The 38-year-old has just two hits in 31 at-bats this season. Jordy Mercer has returned from Triple-A Indianapolis to replace him on the active roster.

John McDonald left Tuesday's game against the Brewers with lower back discomfort.

The ailment figures to sideline McDonald for at least a few days. He has just two hits in 31 at-bats for the Pirates.

Pirates acquired INF John McDonald from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal first reported the deal while CBS Sports' Jon Heyman passed along word about the player to be named later. McDonald, 38, batted .249/.295/.386 with six home runs in 213 plate appearances last season while making appearances at shortstop, second base and the hot corner. Known as a solid defender, he should be a useful bench player for Pittsburgh.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Pirates have acquired infielder John McDonald from the Diamondbacks.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Diamondbacks are looking to trade infielder John McDonald.

McDonald is expendable because of the presence of Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist. The 38-year-old isn't much of a hitter, but he is a solid defender capable of playing multiple positions. He's due to make $1.5 million in 2013.

John McDonald homered and singled in a run against the Dodgers on Sunday.

The Jake Elmore experiment hasn't gone too well, so the Diamondbacks have turned back to McDonald at shortstop the last two days. It might be a short-lived thing, though; now that they're pretty much completely out of the race, it won't hurt to give Elmore more reps.

Diamondbacks activated INF John McDonald from the 15-day disabled list.

McDonald will be back in his D'Backs uniform for Tuesday night's game against the Rockies. The veteran infielder missed about a month with a strained oblique.

John McDonald (oblique) began a rehab assignment Thursday with the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona League team.

McDonald has been out since early July with a strained oblique and his recovery was slowed by a case of bronchitis over the All-Star break. He could be activated sometime this weekend.

John McDonald (oblique) could be activated from the disabled list by the end of the week.

McDonald took some swings in batting practice Sunday with no issues. "He's back at our spring facility, and he's getting better," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's starting to kind of let it go and that's what he was waiting for." McDonald has been out since early July with a strained oblique.

Diamondbacks placed INF John McDonald on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 25, with back tightness.

Assuming the injury isn't serious, McDonald could return when the Diamondbacks begin the second half of the season. Geoff Blum was activated from the 60-day disabled list to replace him on the active roster.