Pirates designate McLouth for assignment
The Pirates designated outfielder Nate McLouth for assignment on Friday and recalled outfielder Matt Hague from Triple-A Indianapolis.
McLouth, signed as a free agent on Dec. 7, hit just .140 with Pittsburgh, scoring four runs while driving in two in 57 at-bats.
Hague began the season with the Pirates, going 1 for 9 with two RBIs in five games before being optioned April 14.
Giants mimic Marlins
The San Francisco Giants like the Miami Marlins’ celebratory “lo viste” gesture so much they’ve borrowed it.
The Marlins signal each other with a sideways V over one eye after a big hit. “Lo viste” is Spanish for “Did you see that?”
A grinning Angel Pagan made the gesture toward his dugout after he singled home a run for the Giants in their victory Thursday at Miami.
“I was just joking with the guys in the dugout,” Pagan said. “That’s what they do, the Marlins, so I just went like that – ‘back at you.’ ”
Several Giants told the Marlins before the game they planned to borrow the gesture, which the Marlins took as a compliment.
Jones eyes extension
The Baltimore Orioles and the agent for center fielder Adam Jones are discussing an extension for the one-time All-Star, whose contract expires after this season.
Jones confirmed that his representative, Nez Balelo, was in Baltimore.
Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said “nothing is imminent.”
Jones, a former Seattle Mariner, is batting .310 with 14 home runs and 31 RBIs for the first-place Orioles.
Clearing the bases
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks following surgery on his injured right knee. … The Baltimore Orioles designated veteran outfielder Bill Hall for assignment and recalled pitcher Stu Pomeranz from Triple-A Norfolk. … Dominican relief pitcher Juan Carlos Oviedo says he has his U.S. visa, and will able to rejoin the Miami Marlins after serving an eight-week suspension from MLB for playing under the fake name of Leo Nunuz. … The Rockies put catcher Ramon Hernandez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hand and called up catcher Wil Nieves from Triple-A Colorado Springs.