Braves designated Jones for assignment

     Among a series of transactions aimed at improving its underachieving bullpen, the Atlanta Braves optioned Pendleton County resident Nate Jones to its Triple-A affiliate and then designated him for assignment on May 7, likely ending the pact between the veteran relief pitcher and franchise.
    Jones, 35, in his 10th big league season, was initially optioned to the Gwinnett Stripers on May 3. He made one appearance for the Braves AAA club on May 6 against the Charlotte Knights where he pitched one scoreless inning highlighted by consecutive strikeouts of the final two hitters he faced. The next day, the Braves announced a series of moves that included Jones being designated for assignment.
    This week, Atlanta will put Jones through waivers where he could be claimed by another team, trade him or release him outright making him a free agent. He does have enough major league service time to reject an assignment should he pass through waivers unclaimed. Jones pitched 10.1 innings for the Braves with a 3.48 ERA with 10 walks, eight hits, six runs (four earned) with seven strikeouts.