PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs pitcher James McDonald left his spring start against the Oakland Athletics after two pitches due to right shoulder soreness.
McDonald’s second pitch of the game sailed to the backstop, which brought the trainer and manager Rick Renteria to the mound. McDonald quickly exited in favor of right-hander Yao-Lin Wang.
"He was shaking his arm, so I went out there and he said it didn't feel right," Renteria after the game, which the Cubs lost 6-2.
McDonald’s status is uncertain at this point.
"We don’t know," Renteria said. "We won't know until he's evaluated."
McDonald signed a one-year, $1 million (non-guaranteed) contract with the Cubs in February after an injury-riddled season in 2013. He had shoulder problems limiting him to six starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.
McDonald has struggled all spring, amassing a 12.71 ERA in 5.2 innings. He was in competition for a starting role with Jake Arrieta unable to start the regular season on time due to shoulder stiffness.
