Saturday, March 20, 2010

McDonald gets slashed in latest roster cuts

If James McDonald is ever going to figure things out, he'll have to do it in the minors.

McDonald has been cut from the big club after a horrendous spring. Just how bad has he been so far? Try a 20.25 ERA after only 5 1/3 innings pitched. Whoa.

He certainly appeared to be one of the lead dogs in getting that fifth spot in the rotation. For those of you that have forgotten, he was in the same position last year and won it initially. Then the regular season started, and he pitched his way back into the bullpen. An 8.16 ERA in April included 14 walks in 14 1/3 innings.

Once he hit the 'pen, though, he was actually pretty good. Pitching 49 1/3 innings in middle-relief, he put together a 2.72 ERA.

His best bet is that he can find a niche in the bullpen again this season. Although, he most likely be a starter down on the farm, so who knows, maybe he'll get things straightened. But, he sure has a long way to go if this spring is any indication.

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