James McDonald promoted to Las Vegas

This could be putting him in line for a September callup. He made 22 starts for Jacksonville and somehow came out with only eight decisions (he went 5-3). But his line is impressive. He had a 3.19 ERA, allowed only 98 hits in 118 2/3 innings and had an strikeout/walk ration of almost 4:1, striking out 46 while walking only 12. This is the Dodgers’ next big pitching prospect, now that Clayton Kershaw is in the majors. Club officials have made a point of NOT sending Kershaw to Vegas at any point because they don’t want the hitter-friendly PCL to do damage to his psyche. Not sure why McDonald is any different. But there is only a month left in the minor-league season, so we’ll see what happens. … Walking off the plane here this morning was like walking into a furnace. Supposed to be about 96 at game time tomorrow night. And if you have ever been here, you know 96 in St. Louis is a little different from 96 in, say, Phoenix.