The Pirates announced that they designated outfielder Nate McLouth for assignment. The club recalled Matt Hague in a corresponding move.
McLouth signed a one-year, $1.75MM deal with the Pirates this past offseason after spending two and a half years in Atlanta. Now 30, McLouth was viewed as a future star when the Pirates traded him to the Braves three years ago. But he didn't hit in Atlanta and he has just a .385 OPS in 62 plate appearances back in Pittsburgh.
Hague, who appeared in five MLB games earlier this season, has a .278/.325/.333 batting line at Triple-A this year. The right-handed hitter has considerable minor league experience at first and third.
