Evan Phillips joins Orioles

DENVER - The Orioles have brought reliever Evan Phillips to Coors Field this morning, setting up a bullpen move that manager Brandon Hyde hinted at yesterday.

The club stuck with its current group in last night's 9-6 win over the Rockies, but Hyde said earlier that a change could come in the next day or two.

Hyde used only two relievers last night, covering the last four innings with Miguel Castro and Josh Lucas. Lucas tossed three scoreless innings for his first major league save.

Phillips was recalled on May 15 as the 26th man in a doubleheader and returned to Triple-A Norfolk later that night. He was optioned four days earlier, with Jimmy Yacabonis replacing him on the 25-man roster.

The Orioles optioned Yacabonis on May 16 while reinstating left-hander Richard Bleier from the injured list.

The bullpen isn't known for remaining stagnant, whether due to injury or ineffectiveness.

Phillips has made 11 relief appearances with the Orioles and allowed 10 runs and 14 hits with 10 walks, 16 strikeouts and three hit batters over 12 2/3 innings. He pitched Thursday night for the Tides and surrendered a two-run homer to Durham's Michael Brosseau, one of the runs charged to Sean Gilmartin.

In four outings with Norfolk, Phillips has been charged with one run and four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings. Opponents are batting .167 against him.

The Orioles haven't announced a move, so it isn't known how Phillips fits. Whether there's an injury or someone is being optioned.

Gabriel Ynoa is starting Monday afternoon against the Tigers, so he's safe. Dan Straily was just moved to the bullpen and Hyde said the right-hander would be available today.