53 James McDonald, SP

Pirates starter James McDonald is slated to begin a rehab assignment May 27 at Double-A Altoona, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McDonald hasn't pitched since April 30 against Milwaukee due to a shoulder injury. McDonald has bullpen sessions scheduled for Tuesday and Friday leading into the rehab assignment. Expect him to take at least two rehab starts in the minors.

Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald, who has thrown from flat ground recently, will throw a bullpen session Tuesday as he continues to make progress from shoulder inflammation.

McDonald has been sidelined since May 7. The right-hander went 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in six starts before landing on the disabled list.

Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald could throw a bullpen session Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. He has been flowing from flat ground but isn't close to returning to the team.

McDonald is recovering from shoulder inflammation that resulted in his placement on the 15-day disabled list May 7.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told MLB.com on Monday that pitcher James McDonald will not begin a throwing program until he gets over the soreness or tenderness in his shoulder. There is no timetable for his return.

"McDonald is just still on hold," Hurdle said.

The right-hander went 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in six starts before landing on the disabled list.

An MRI on Pirates starter James McDonald showed no structural damage in his right shoulder and revealed only inflammation, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The right-hander underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection on Wednesday.

McDonald has gone 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA through six starts.