Phillips outrighted to Norfolk (with note)

Left-hander Zach Phillips has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, creating another roster move for the Orioles' top affiliate. The Orioles designated Phillips for assignment on June 30 to make room for Jim Thome on the 40-man roster. In his only appearance for the Orioles this year, Phillips allowed two earned runs and three hits and walked two batters in two-thirds on an inning. The Orioles had recalled him on May 8 while optioning pitcher Jason Berken. Phillips is 0-1 with a 3.56 ERA and four saves in 25 games with Norfolk. He's allowed 37 hits, walked 12 and struck out 27 in 30 1/3 innings. Last year, Phillips gave up one run in eight innings and held left-handed batters to a .100 average after the Orioles acquired him from the Rangers on July 19 for infielder Nick Green. Phillips gives the Tides another left-handed reliever. They could lose J.C. Romero during the break if the Orioles don't promote him and he opts out of his contract. Meanwhile, Jason Hammel continues to trail Yu Darvish and Jake Peavy in the Final Vote with less than an hour remaining in the balloting. Also, Double-A Bowie outfielder Robbie Widlansky, 27, has been named Eastern League Player of the Month for June. He's the first Baysox player to win the award since Mike Fontenot in June 2003. Widlansky batted .407 (35-for-86) with two home runs and 21 RBIs in 24 games. He had the highest batting average, on-base percentage (.523) and OPS (1.116) and the fifth-most RBIs in the month. He also reached base in every game. Right fielder Nick Markakis isn't in Bowie's lineup tonight, so he's not starting his injury rehab assignment, in case you were wondering.