Pittsburgh Pirates’ James McDonald sharp in latest rehab start
By Matt Shetler
The latest injury to Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez has opened the door for someone to step up and potentially play a major role for the time being. The Pirates won’t need a fifth starter again until around June 16, which could give Gomez plenty of time to be ready.
Apr 25, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher James McDonald (53) in the dugout after being pulled during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
But if he’s not, all eyes will be on the progress of Charlie Morton, as he is the likely candidate to step into the rotation.
However, don’t forget about James McDonald.
J-Mac looked very sharp in his latest rehab outing, needing only 38 pitches to get through four innings Saturday with Class AA Altoona.
It’s not like McDonald to be that efficient with his pitches, but I would definitely rather have a line like that instead of the 33 pitches he threw in his first rehab start without recording an out.
McDonald’s fastball was said to have registered between 88 and 92 mph and he was able to use all of his pitches, which is a good sign.
However it’s hard to put too much stock in J-Mac’s latest outing as his two rehab starts have resembled the Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde approach we have seen from him throughout the course of the last year and a half.
For McDonald to slide back into the rotation, he would have to have several more outings like the one on Saturday.
Right now McDonald still has to pass Morton, Gomez and maybe a couple minor-league arms before he realistically deserves another chance at starting.
With where the Pirates are at right now it almost seems too risky to take a shot on an inconsistent J-Mac unless he really pitches his way back into the starting rotation.