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.