PLAYING TIME: McDonald leads list of rotation-spot losers

NATIONAL LEAGUE

James McDonald loses rotation spot

With wild card aspirations, the Pirates decided they would be better off down the stretch without James McDonald (RHP, PIT) in their starting rotation. After a sterling first half (2.44 ERA, 0.98 WHIP), McDonald has had a reversal of fortune in the second half (6.12 ERA, 1.59 WHIP). The skills show that McDonald was not that good (3.57 xERA) in the first half nor was he that bad in second (4.70 xERA). Still, his performance left a lot to be desired in the second half. Though McDonald's overall PQS-DOM/DIS is a respectable 52%/34%, over his last 12 starts, those figures had flipped. McDonald had four DOM starts against six DIS (33%/50%), sealing his fate with three straight PQS-DIS...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Today

Bo Bichette moves to Flushing; Realmuto stays in Philly; Caratini to Minnesota; and more...
Jan 20 2026 9:08am
Kyle Tucker is rightfully pumped after pocketing $240M. What does it mean for the LA roster? Plus ripples from the Ranger Suárez and CIN-TB-LAA trade.
Jan 16 2026 9:33am
The Ryan Weathers trade from Miami to New York has implications for both starting staffs with spring training just four weeks away. Plus the Nolan Arenado era comes to an end in St. Louis.
Jan 14 2026 9:15am
New Cub Alex Bregman approves of the team's January so far. Plus Caissie joins other young Marlins; edge moves in Colorado; and more.
Jan 12 2026 9:14am
A trio of free-agent signings, including Tatsuya Iami, Kazuma Okamoto and Tyler Mahle, alter playing-time landscapes in Houston, Toronto and San Francisco.
Jan 7 2026 8:37am

Tools