Arlington, TX – The Cleveland Indians have acquired infielder John McDonald from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named and/or cash considerations.
The 38-year-old McDonald was just 2-for-31 (.065) in 16 games with the Pirates this season before being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury on May 15.
McDonald returns to the team that drafted him in the 12th round (363rd overall) of the 1996 MLB Draft. He played for the Indians from 1999-2004, hitting .231 with four home runs and 33 RBI during that span.
In 15 seasons with the Indians, Blue Jays (2005, 2006-11), Tigers (2005), Diamondbacks (2011-12) and Pirates, McDonald has a .237 career batting average with 27 home runs and 202 RBI over 970 games.
Primarily a shortstop, McDonald also has experience at second and third base as well as left field. He has a career fielding percentage of .972.
In addition, the Indians transferred Brett Myers to the 60-day disabled list.
Myers has been shut down since April 19 with a UCL tear. He is 0-3 in four appearances, including three starts, this season with a 8.02 earned run average over 21 1/3 innings.
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