Cubs name Darnell McDonald Baseball Operations Assistant

The Chicago Cubs today named Darnell McDonald to the role of baseball operations assistant.

McDonald, 35, announced his retirement as a player earlier this month after 16 professional seasons, including last year with the Cubs organization. The former outfielder also went to spring training with the club this year.

In his new role with the organization, McDonald will contribute to all elements within the club's player development and amateur scouting departments. He will visit the club's affiliates to work with the minor league players on and off the field, evaluate amateur players leading up to the draft, and spend time around the major league club.   McDonald will also attend instructional league during the fall and serve there as an extra coach among his other responsibilities.

McDonald was originally selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the 1997 Draft and made his major league debut with the Orioles in 2004, the first of seven seasons in which he saw big league action. He batted .302 (16-for-53) with one home run and five RBI last season with the Cubs and retired with a .250 (191-for-764) batting average with Baltimore (2004), Minnesota (2007), Cincinnati (2009), Boston (2010-12) and the Cubs (2013).