Boston made the moves before Saturday night's game against Seattle, which Beckett was starting. Beckett was placed on the disabled list June 16, retroactive to June 12, with inflammation in his right shoulder. Beckett lost his previous three starts before going on the 15-day DL.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said the decision on McDonald was difficult but was eventually going to happen with the outfielders currently on the disabled list Boston expects to get back in the near future. McDonald appeared in 38 games and hit .214 with two homers and nine RBIs.