The Pirates are considering skipping James McDonald's next start Wednesday against the Brewers. An official decision has yet to be made, but McDonald struggled against the Cubs on Friday, and has a 10.50 ERA in 12 innings (three starts) this month. If McDonald is skipped, Kyle McPherson would presumably take his place in the starting rotation.

James McDonald struggled through 3 2/3 innings, giving up four runs, Friday in a loss to the Cubs. McDonald fell to 0-3 with a 5.71 ERA lifetime against the Cubs. It's been a very rough two months for him, and the Pirates would undoubtedly like to see him turn in a couple of good outings during the final two weeks to restore some confidence heading into the winter.

James McDonald was absolutely destroyed in Sunday's loss to the Brewers, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on six hits over just 2 2/3 innings. McDonald racked up six strikeouts while walking one in the brief outing. Astoundingly, all of the scoring against him came via the long ball, with Ryan Braun, Jeff Bianchi, Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez getting in on the action. Aside from two starts against the Cardinals, he's been brutal in the second half of the season, watching his ERA rise from 2.37 to 3.90. He'll look to get back on track against the Cubs at home on Saturday.

James McDonald disappointed Wednesday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over five innings in a loss to the Padres. McDonald looked off from the get-go, walking the first three batters of the game. The right-hander appeared to make strides in his last start, but this was another big step backwards. It's possible the Pirates will turn to Kevin Correia if McDonald can't improve his consistency. He'll take a 3.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP into next week's start against the Cardinals.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that James McDonald could be moved to the bullpen when the Pirates go back to a five-man rotation next week. It's a bit surprising given how good McDonald was in the first half, but he's been a disaster since, posting an 8.71 ERA since the All-Star break. Kevin Correia was temporarily demoted to the bullpen after the Wandy Rodriguez acquisition, but he rejoined the rotation during a stretch of 20 games in 20 days, and manager Clint Hurdle said Correia is "very comfortable when he has the opportunity to start." The manager also said that the fifth starter will be someone that is the "most aggressive, throw strikes and make teams beat them with the bat." It could indicate McDonald's vulnerability, given that he's walked 21 in 31 innings since the break.

The Pirates have pushed back James McDonald's next start to Friday against the Cardinals. McDonald was originally scheduled to pitch Thursday against the Dodgers, but A.J. Burnett will move up a day in the rotation to take his place. The Pirates are clearly hoping some extra rest will do the struggling McDonald some good. The 27-year-old right-hander has an 8.71 ERA since the All-Star break.

James McDonald was hammered in Friday's no-decision against the Padres, surrendering seven runs on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. McDonald walked one and struck out three in the rough outing. After allowing a leadoff homer to Alexi Amarista, McDonald cruised through the first four innings until imploding in the fifth. After getting the first out, he allowed a walk and then five straight hits, capped off by a three-run homer off the bat of Chase Headley. After a brilliant first half, McDonald has now posted a horrifying 8.71 ERA over six starts since the All-Star break. He'll attempt to get back on track when he squares off against the Dodgers at home on Thursday. Mixed leaguers would be wise to leave him on the bench until he is able to right the ship.

James McDonald turned in a quality start in a no-decision against the Reds on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings. McDonald displayed much-improved command, walking just one while racking up seven strikeouts in the game. Scott Rolen got the Reds on the board with a two-run single in the first inning. The Reds struck again in the third, adding two more on a pair of RBI hits from Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier. McDonald will attempt to get back in the win column when he takes on the Diamondbacks at home on Thursday.

James McDonald won despite allowing six runs in five innings Wednesday against the Rockies. Quite an oddity; McDonald is the first Pirates pitcher to give up six runs and win since Paul Maholm on Aug. 18, 2007. It'd happened just three times since 2000. McDonald has now struggled in back-to-back outings, but since today's was in Coors Field, it wouldn't be a good idea to overreact.

James McDonald had one of his roughest outings of the season on Friday, surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings against the Brewers. McDonald, who displayed impeccable control in his last start, had trouble commanding the strike zone on Friday, matching his season-high with five walks while fanning just two. The Brewers jumped on him in the first inning, as Ryan Braun blasted a solo homer and Rickie Weeks followed with a two-run double. McDonald is still having a tremendous season, compiling a 9-3 record and 2.59 ERA, but he's now allowed four earned runs or more in two straight road starts. While it's difficult to bench your star pitches in fantasy leagues, perhaps avoiding his Wednesday start in Colorado would be a wise move.