The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned James McDonald to Triple-A Indianapolis.
There season is over, and so is the season of McDonald.
McDonald, 28, went unclaimed on waivers and the Pirates were required to make a decision on his status. Despite being owed just a fraction of his $3.025 million salary no team was willing to take a gamble on McDonald.
It has been a steep decline for McDonald since the All-Star break last season. This year McDonald appeared in six games with the Pirates compiling a 5.76 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.McDonald is expected to be non-tendered in the off-season and should be one of the more interesting back of the rotation options during free agency.
