McDonald (1-0) allowed three runs on five hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over seven innings to earn the win over the Rockies on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald gave up a three-run home run to Ezequiel Tovar in the fifth inning but was otherwise quite stingy in a dominant win. This was McDonald's third appearance in the majors this year, and he finished the campaign allowing six runs over 15 innings while adding a 14:2 K:BB. It was a strong showing in his late-season audition, which reflects better than his 5.37 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 144:62 K:BB over 142.1 innings at Triple-A Sacramento. McDonald has likely done enough to be in the conversation for a big-league rotation spot in the spring.

McDonald is slated to start Friday's game against the Rockies in San Francisco.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander will be awarded another turn through the rotation after he performed well against the Dodgers in his first MLB start this past Sunday, striking out three while allowing one earned run on six hits and one walk over six innings. McDonald will look to build on that performance with another positive outing against the Rockies, which could improve his chances of being part of the Giants' Opening Day rotation in 2026.

McDonald allowed one run on six hits and a walk while striking out three over six-plus innings in a no-decision Sunday versus the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald went pitch-for-pitch with Emmet Sheehan over the first six innings. In the seventh, McDonald put three straight batters on base, leading to the lone run on his line, before Spencer Bivens relieved him and put out the fire. McDonald has given up three runs while posting a 4:2 K:BB across eight innings over his two major-league outings this season. If he did enough Sunday to earn another turn through the rotation, that would likely come in a home matchup versus the Rockies in the final series of the season.

McDonald will start for the Giants on Sunday against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury Newsreports.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald made his 2025 debut Tuesday and pitched two innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk. He was fully stretched out at Triple-A prior to his promotion, so he should be able to handle a traditional starter's workload if the Giants desire. McDonald could also piggyback with Tristan Beck.

The Giants recalled McDonald from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald has spent the entire season in Triple-A, where he owns a 5.37 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 142.1 innings while working primarily as a starter. He'll move to the bullpen upon joining the big club to provide the Giants with another long relief option, replacing Keaton Winn.

The Giants optioned McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald made his major-league debut during the final game of the regular-season last year, tossing three scoreless relief innings, but he always seemed likely to begin the 2025 campaign back at Sacramento. The 24-year-old will serve as rotation depth in the minors.

McDonald was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants are short on fresh arms for the final game of the regular season, so McDonald could make his big-league debut in relief of Hayden Birdsong. McDonald, a 23-year-old righty with decent stuff, logged 78.1 innings across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A this season.

Double-A Richmond reinstated McDonald (groin) from its 7-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald has resided on Richmond's IL all season but is finally ready to join the Giants' Eastern League affiliate after an extended rehab assignment that first kicked off May 14. In 10 total outings between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and High-A Eugene covering 24.1 innings, McDonald turned in a 4.44 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 34:12 K:BB.

McDonald (groin) has turned in a 5.79 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 4:2 K:BB in 4.2 innings through four rehab outings in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald has resided on Double-A Richmond's 7-day injured list all season while healing up from a groin injury, but he may not be far away from making his 2024 debut for the Giants' Eastern League affiliate. He's yet to pitch at the Double-A level but was dominant during his time at High-A Eugene in 2023, pitching to a 0.96 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 39:8 K:BB in 37.2 innings.

McDonald is on the injured list at Double-A Richmond with a groin injury, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

McDonald is a nice sleeper prospect for dynasty leagues, as he has excellent control and could potentially get to pitch half his games in the pitcher-friendly park in San Francisco. In his age-22 season, McDonald logged a 1.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 47.1 innings across 14 appearances in the lower levels of the minors. He averaged 94 mph with his two-seam fastball last year (touching 98 mph) and had a groundball rate north of 70 percent. McDonald also sports a plus curveball, while mixing in a four-seamer and a slider.