Indians' McDonald returns to Scrappers

Shortstop John McDonald was rehabbing lower back spasms.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- In a one-day rehab appearance, infielder John McDonald played shortstop for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Monday night against the Lowell Spinners.
In six innings, McDonald recorded three putouts, three assists, participated in two double plays and showed off the glove that earned him a spot in the major leagues.
In 49 games for the Cleveland Indians this year, McDonald was hitting .252 with 31 hits, six doubles, one triple, a homer and nine RBIs. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 1 with lower back spasms.
Based on his performance at Cafaro Field, he's recovered.
"My back felt real good; that's all I was worried about," said McDonald.
Major league connection
Lowell scored once in the second inning and had runners on the corners with one out when a batter hit the ball back to pitcher Paul Rigdon, another Indian on a rehab appearance.
Rigdon relayed the ball to McDonald at second who stepped over a sliding runner and completed the relay to first for the double play.
"I just kind of helped out, they did all the work," he said of the play.
Even with the runner coming at him full speed, his throw to first was perfect.
"That's just baseball, the guy was playing hard," he said. "You have to be able to move your body in certain ways.
"I wanted to do all the moving I could and not hurt my back."
With the Scrappers up 2-1 after three innings, Lowell got a lead-off single in the fourth. A ground ball to second baseman Jesus Colmenter became a 4-6-3 double play quicker than the fans could say "turn two".
Showing off his skills
McDonald, who played five games with the Scrappers in 2000, maybe made his best play in the fifth inning.
With the Scrappers up 3-1 and two Spinners out, a ground ball was hit up the middle.
McDonald charged quickly and his deft exchange from glove hand to throwing hand was a thing of beauty. The runner was out by steps.
After a night off, McDonald will play one game with the Lake County Captains in Lakewood, N.J., Wednesday. Then, Thursday he should be in the Tribe lineup against the Yankees.
"If it all goes well, I'll be back [with Cleveland] this weekend," said McDonald.
At shortstop?
"Yes, that's the plan."
Among the best
Catcher Ryan Garko was playing in just his second game with the Scrappers, so it was a special thrill for him to be in the lineup with Rigdon and McDonald.
"They're at the level we all want to get to," said Garko.
"You can learn a lot from them in just a five-minute conversation."
He then called the shortstop "Mr. McDonald".
"The guy's in the big leagues; you got to respect what's he's done," said Garko. "He's put a lot of work into it."
McDonald was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Rigdon allowed two hits and one earned run in two innings.