The Atlanta Braves have demoted former Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth to the minor leagues:
↵↵↵The Braves optioned McLouth to the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. Ironic. He sort of takes the roster spot vacated in Gwinnett by Jordan Schafer, who was recently demoted yet another level down to Double-A Mississippi.
↵There was a time when McLouth was viewed as the bridge to Schafer. Now both are bridges to nowhere.
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McLouth had posted an Iwamura-grade .168 batting average with the Braves this year, making him among the least productive players in the majors this season. The Pirates traded him for Charlie Morton, Gorkys Hernandez and Jeff Locke, and while Morton and Hernandez don't look great so far, Locke has quietly had an excellent season in the rotations in Bradenton and now Altoona. He probably won't be an ace for the Pirates, but it's looking increasingly likely that he'll help. Given the way McLouth has played, it's a good thing the Pirates made the trade when they did, or they might not have gotten anything at all.