James McDonald was removed after allowing one run and three hits in four innings Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. The Pirates probably would have sent McDonald back out if they were leading going into the fifth. As it was, though, they decided to pinch-hit for him with two men on in a game they were trailing 1-0. It didn't pay off immediately, as Nate McLouth lined out off the bench, but since the bullpen ended up throwing five scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory, it all worked out in the end.

James McDonald yielded three runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Giants on Friday. McDonald gave up six hits and three walks while registering only one strikeout. Obviously not what fantasy owners were hoping for. He's a shaky play in mixed leagues next week with a road start against the Diamondbacks on tap.

James McDonald held the Phillies to two runs on four hits and two walks in six innings of work Sunday, but got stuck with a no-decision in Pittsburgh's 5-4 victory. McDonald struck out three and served up a solo home run to Hunter Pence in the fourth. McDonald got off to a rough start last season before settling down in the second half, and could prove to be a sneaky source of strikeouts in standard-sized mixed leagues.

James McDonald was torched for 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings by the Twins on Thursday. McDonald was left in to get his work in, even as he walked seven batters on the day. He was coming off a start in which he allowed one run in seven innings against the Astros, but the ugly outing today takes his ERA back up to 9.16. His rotation spot remains assured, but if he doesn't turn it around, he could be bumped once A.J. Burnett is ready.

James McDonald limited the Astros to one run and two hits in seven innings on Saturday. McDonald had given up eight runs in eight innings this spring before shutting down Houston today. He walked none and struck out three in the strong effort. McDonald should be viewed as a $2-$3 starter in NL-only leagues.

James McDonald took a loss to the Blue Jays after giving up two runs in two innings on Saturday. McDonald was OK last year, going 9-9 with a 4.21 ERA in his 31 starts, but the Pirates need more from him if they're going to take a step forward. He has the best stuff of their returning starters, but since he's now 27, it's time to start wondering if he will put it all together.

James McDonald gave up three runs -- one earned -- on six hits and two walks over five innings in Sunday's loss to the Reds. He struck out four and needed a whopping 105 pitches to get through the five frames. McDonald wasn't helped out by his defense in this one, but he's got to start being more efficient if he wants to take that next step. He'll conclude the year with a 4.21 ERA and 1.49 WHIP but should have a rotation spot sewn up for next year.

James McDonald allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits in six innings on Wednesday, but got stuck with a hard-luck loss in Pittsburgh's 2-0 setback in Houston. He struck out six and walked two in his third consecutive quality start. Now the owner of a 3.54 ERA and 48/18 K/BB ratio in 53 1/3 innings since the All-Star break, McDonald will get the Astros again on Monday, this time in Pittsburgh.

James McDonald allowed three runs on five hits in six innings on Friday, taking a no-decision in Pittsburgh's 5-4 loss to the Cardinals. He struck out five and walked three. The quality start was McDonald's second straight and third in four outings. Now the owner of a 4.22 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 120/65 K/BB ratio through 145 innings, McDonald will get the Astros in Houston on Wednesday.

James McDonald allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in six innings of Pittsburgh's loss to the Reds on Sunday. All three runs came in the sixth, where McDonald served up a three-run bomb to Joey Votto. The quality start was just his third in seven outings since the All-Star break. He'll take a 4.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 115/62 K/BB ratio into his Friday start against the Cardinals.