McDonald joins Cubs' baseball operations

The Cubs on Tuesday named former Major Leaguer Darnell McDonald a baseball operations assistant.

McDonald spent seven seasons in the big leagues, including last year with the Cubs. He hit .302 with one home run and five RBIs last season with Chicago before retiring with a .250 career average over seven seasons with Baltimore (2004), Minnesota ('07), Cincinnati ('09), Boston ('10-12), the Yankees (four games in '12) and the Cubs ('13).

McDonald spent 16 seasons in pro ball, and he went to Spring Training with the Cubs this year before officially announcing his retirement as a player earlier this month.

In his new role, McDonald will "contribute to all elements within the club's player development and amateur scouting departments," a team release said. He'll work with Minor Leaguers, evaluate amateur players leading up to the Draft, spend time with the Major League club and serve as a coach in the fall instructional league.