Nate McLouth hit a two-run homer off the bench to lead the Pirates to a 6-5 win over the Red Sox on Wednesday.

McLouth was playing for the first time since suffering a bruised foot on Sunday. Pittsburgh's fourth outfielder is 8-for-20 this spring, though he's been thrown out three times in three steal attempts.

Nate McLouth was removed from Sunday's game after fouling a pitch off his right foot.

He stayed in the game initially, but the Pirates decided to play it safe and take him out. The move was considered precautionary, so McLouth should be fine in a day or two.

Pirates signed OF Nate McLouth to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.

McLouth, 30, batted just .229/.335/.364 over parts of three seasons with the Braves, but he's hoping a return to Pittsburgh will get his career back on track. The Pirates already have Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata and Alex Presley are projected starters in their outfield, so he'll likely contribute as a fourth outfielder.

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Nate McLouth's one-year deal with the Pirates is worth $1.75 million

The Pirates are expected to make the deal official at the Winter Meetings. McLouth, 30, batted .228/.344/.333 with four home runs, 16 RBI and a .667 OPS over 321 plate appearances with the Braves this past season. He figures to see semi-regular playing time in his return to Pittsburgh.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Pirates have completed a one-year deal for former outfielder Nate McLouth, pending a physical.

The financials of the deal aren't known yet, but it can't be for too much after McLouth flopped in Atlanta the last couple years. He figures to see plenty of playing time in left field for the Pirates and, at age 30, at least stands a shot at a mini-bounceback season.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates are moving "closer" to deals for Nate McLouth and Wilson Betemit.

Both moves would make sense to some degree. McLouth could take over in left field and would at least have a chance to get his career back on track where it first took off. Betemit would offer a viable alternative at third base if Pedro Alvarez doesn't shape up, and he could also handle first base if Derrek Lee departs.

According to FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, the Pirates are interested in a reunion with Nate McLouth.

The Braves made the easy decision to decline McLouth's $10.65 million option for 2012 in October after watching him bat .228/.344/.333 this year across 321 plate appearances. He hasn't been the same since he left Pittsburgh and is unlikely to recapture the magic in another stint with the Bucs.

Braves declined OF Nate McLouth's $10.65 million option for 2012.

McLouth will receive a $1.25 million buyout instead. The 30-year-old outfielder batted only .228/.344/.333 in a third straight disappointing season and is recovering from sports hernia surgery. It's possible he could wind up being a nice buy-low candidate, but we're not at all confident in him bouncing back.

Braves transferred OF Nate McLouth from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

His season is over. McLouth is recovering from sports hernia surgery and wouldn't be ready until late September at the earliest, anyway. The Braves will have to pay him a $1.25 million buyout when they inevitably decline his $10.65 million option, so his tenure in Atlanta might be over.

Nate McLouth is expected to miss six weeks following surgery Thursday to repair a sports hernia.

The Braves had called his ailment only an abdominal strain to this point, but obviously there was something more going on. A return late in the season has not been ruled out, though with Michael Bourn now on board, the Braves don't need to push McLouth.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez revealed that the abdominal strain that landed Nate McLouth on the disabled list is something the outfielder has dealt with all season.

Gonzalez said McLouth had a "mild" abdominal issue but "was playing through it" since "the second or third day of the season." It's not clear if this fact might make his stay on the disabled list a little longer. He was placed on the DL Friday.

Braves placed OF Nate McLouth on the 15-day disabled list with a lower abdominal strain.

And you thought the Braves had a need in center field before. With McLouth and Jordan Schafer now both on the disabled list, they'll have to turn to 27-year-old Jose Constanza to make his major league debut there for Friday night's game against the Marlins. Braves GM Frank Wren is going to have to get some help before Sunday's deadline.

Braves activated OF Nate McLouth from the 15-day disabled list.

He's starting in left field Sunday, as the Braves have elected to stick him there and keep Jordan Schafter in center field with Martin Prado out. McLouth was batting .238/.332/.341 with three homers over 164 at-bats before landing on the disabled list in late May.

Nate McLouth (oblique) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Sunday or Monday.

We heard earlier this week it would be Saturday or Sunday, but it looks like they might give him one more day. McLouth has been out since late May with a strained left oblique. He was batting .238/.332/.341 with three homers over 164 at-bats before the injury.

Nate McLouth (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett Thursday and is expected to rejoin the Braves as soon as Saturday or Sunday.

McLouth has been able to take batting practice and shag fly balls at game speed without any issues. "Three or four days ago it was still pretty sore to run," McLouth said. "But it's improved greatly each day and today they wanted me to try to go as close to game speed in the outfield as I could and I did that. I threw to bases. It felt great."

Nate McLouth (oblique) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday.

McLouth first has to make it through a Wednesday session of live batting practice. The outfielder has been sidelined since mid-May with a strained left oblique.

Nate McLouth (oblique) could be activated from the disabled list later this week.

McLouth hit off Brandon Beachy in a simulated game at extended spring training Saturday without any issues. He's expected to go out on a rehab assignment soon to get in a few at-bats before being activated probably next weekend.

Nate McLouth (oblique) had no problems during a simulated game Saturday.

McLouth faced Brandon Beachy who is also on the DL for the Braves. He could begin a rehab assignment in the next few days. McLouth was hitting an unimpressive .238/.332./.341 before going on the disabled list.

Nate McLouth (oblique) has begun taking batting practice.

He'll hit in a simulated game against fellow DL'd Brave Brandon Beachy, who is also coming back from an oblique injury. McLouth will probably be ready in a week or so.

Nate McLouth (oblique) has begun hitting off a tee.

He'll probably need a session or two of batting practice before being cleared to go out on a rehab assignment. We should see McLouth in a Braves uniform again by mid-June, barring a setback.