James McDonald has shoulder inflammation

Travis Sawchik reports that an MRI reveals that James McDonald has shoulder inflammation, although there doesn't appear to be any more serious problem. That's good news, although it sounds like it will still be awhile before he pitches again. Remember when McDonald was supposed to be the wild card for the Pirates this season? It looks like the Bucs will have to find another one.

Among pitchers who have started for the Pirates this year, the Bucs have already lost McDonald and Phil Irwin for significant stretches. They're also still technically missing Francisco Liriano and Charlie Morton, whose injuries they knew about before they were acquired or re-signed, and also Kyle McPherson and Jeff Karstens. If this doesn't demonstrate the importance of starting pitching depth, I don't know what does. And I have no idea where the Pirates would be if it hadn't been for the acquisitions of A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez.