McDonald did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.1 innings against the Dodgers. He struck out four. McDonald wasn't nearly as dominant in his second big-league start of the year compared to his seven-inning gem May 4 against the Padres, but he still was able to mitigate damage. The right-hander held the Dodgers scoreless through the first three innings before surrendering two runs in the fourth frame and a solo homer to Max Muncy in the sixth inning prior to being pulled. Through two starts, McDonald owns a 2.92 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with a 12:2 K:BB across 12.1 innings. With Logan Webb (knee) sidelined, McDonald figures to stick in the rotation for the time being, with his next start tentatively lined up for Saturday against the Athletics.
McDonald is slated to start Monday's game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. After being optioned to Triple-A Sacramento last Tuesday, McDonald was recalled just four days later after the Giants lost ace Logan Webb (knee) to the injured list. As expected, McDonald will end up moving into Webb's spot in the rotation Monday in what will be his second big-league start of the season. McDonald dazzled in his 2026 MLB debut with eight strikeouts over seven innings of one-run ball in a win over the Padres, but he's been far less stellar over a larger sample of five starts at Triple-A (5.40 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 12:15 K:BB in 15 innings). He'll tentatively line up for two starts this week, with his second turn set to come over the weekend against the Athletics at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park.
San Francisco recalled McDonald from Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. McDonald's call-up is the result of Logan Webb (knee) landing on the injured list. It thus seems likely that McDonald will slide into Webb's spot in the rotation, and the former could make his next start Monday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. McDonald impressed in his first (and, so far, only) outing with the Giants this season, allowing one run on two hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over seven innings in a win over the Padres last Monday.