McPherson to replace McDonald in rotation

Right-hander James McDonald has been removed from the Pirates rotation, manager Clint Hurdle said Sunday.

Right-hander Kyle McPherson will take McDonald’s spot in the rotation Wednesday against the Brewers…

McDonald has a second-half ERA of 5.84 in his past 12 starts, a stark contrast to a first half in which he went 9-3 with a 2.37 ERA. He admitted after Friday’s game he had lost confidence.

McDonald is available out of the bullpen beginning Tuesday. Although he has experience as a reliever while with the Dodgers, he hasn’t appeared out of the ‘pen since coming to Pittsburgh in 2010. Hurdle said he believes pitching as a reliever will be foreign to McDonald, but is confident McDonald will do his best to help in that role…

McPherson, 24, has allowed two runs in 11 2/3 innings of relief for the Pirates since debuting Aug. 20. He was 3-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 12 Minor League starts this season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis and is the club’s No. 10 prospect, according to MLB.com.

Hurdle said the club opted to go with McPherson instead of Jeff Karstens because the veteran righty hasn’t pitched in a game since leaving Aug. 31 with right hip flexor discomfort. Karstens is 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 15 starts this season.

Right-hander James McDonald has been removed from the Pirates rotation, manager Clint Hurdle said Sunday.

Right-hander Kyle McPherson will take McDonald’s spot in the rotation Wednesday against the Brewers…

McDonald has a second-half ERA of 5.84 in his past 12 starts, a stark contrast to a first half in which he went 9-3 with a 2.37 ERA. He admitted after Friday’s game he had lost confidence.

McDonald is available out of the bullpen beginning Tuesday. Although he has experience as a reliever while with the Dodgers, he hasn’t appeared out of the ‘pen since coming to Pittsburgh in 2010. Hurdle said he believes pitching as a reliever will be foreign to McDonald, but is confident McDonald will do his best to help in that role…

McPherson, 24, has allowed two runs in 11 2/3 innings of relief for the Pirates since debuting Aug. 20. He was 3-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 12 Minor League starts this season between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis and is the club’s No. 10 prospect, according to MLB.com.

Hurdle said the club opted to go with McPherson instead of Jeff Karstens because the veteran righty hasn’t pitched in a game since leaving Aug. 31 with right hip flexor discomfort. Karstens is 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 15 starts this season.