BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : A’s Sign Sax; Pirates Pick Up Parrish

The Oakland Athletics signed former Dodger second baseman Steve Sax and put him in the lineup Saturday against the New York Yankees. Sax, 34, was released by the Chicago White Sox on April 21 after starting the season on the disabled list with a bruised left heel. He went two for four Saturday. Junior Noboa, who was batting .325 in 17 games, was designated for assignment to make room for Sax.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates, desperate for a backup to take some of the catching load off Don Slaught, signed eight-time All-Star Lance Parrish, 37, off the Detroit Tigers’ triple-A roster. To make room for Parrish, who has caught only 10 games in the majors since 1992, the Pirates designated catcher Jerry Goff for assignment. Parrish was immediately put in the lineup against two-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux of Atlanta. He went 0 for 3.

Alejandro Pena, who hasn’t thrown a pitch in a regular-season game since the Pirates signed him 17 months ago because of elbow surgery, then an ulcer, was activated after Saturday night’s game.