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.