Major League Baseball

Diamondbacks trade SS McDonald to Pirates

Published Mar. 21, 2013 6:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded shortstop John McDonald to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named and cash.

McDonald found himself the odd man out in a crowd at the position. Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist are expected to share the spot when the season begins, with top prospect Didi Gregorius waiting at Triple-A Reno.

The 38-year-old McDonald came to Arizona along with Aaron Hill in a trade that sent Kelly Johnson to Toronto in August of 2011. Known as a defensive specialist, McDonald played in 89 games for the Diamondbacks, he hit .230, seeing time at second base and third base as well as shortstop.

McDonald has spent parts of 14 seasons in the majors with Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto and Arizona.