Report: Cubs sign RHP James McDonald to minor-league deal
Click here to access our MLB Tracker, which includes every offseason rumor, trade and signing.
Right-handed pitcher James McDonald has reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal with the Cubs, tweets 670thescore.com's Bruce Levine. The deal's pending a physical, Levine adds, and the 29-year-old's earned himself a spring training invite, too.
McDonald was drafted by the Dodgers in 2002, and spent the last four years with the Pirates. He had a 5.76 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings last year in Pittsburgh, and a 6.53 ERA in 20 2/3 innings in Triple-A. He became a free agent after refusing another trip to Triple-A Indianapolis in mid-September. He did spend time on the disabled list last year with shoulder discomfort, although there was no structural damage.
McDonald wasn't bad in 2011 and 2012, when he started 60 games for the Pirates and had a 4.21 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 342 innings. he struck out 293 and walked 147. Nothing to really write home about, far too many walks, but fifth-starter stuff. You could do worse.
McDonald's control failed him though, last year, as evidenced by his 6.07 walk rate. That'll have to improve.