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Pirates add veteran infielder John McDonald
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Pirates acquired veteran infielder John McDonald from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a player to be named later or cash, the team announced this afternoon.
McDonald, 38, is a career .238 hitter and will add infield depth on the Pirates' bench. Clint Hurdle prefers to carry a couple players on his bench who are capable of playing shortstop, and McDonald adds experience to that role.
McDonald hit .249 in 70 games with the Diamondbacks last season with nine doubles and six home runs.
He is in the second year of a two-year contract and is owed $1.5 million this season, making it a near certainty he will make the Opening Day roster.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates placed infielder Chase d'Arnaud on the 60-day disabled list. D'Arnaud underwent surgery Monday for a torn ligament in his left hand and will need six to eight weeks to recover.
First Published March 20, 2013 2:17 pm
