Orioles recall Ortiz to make tonight's start

The Orioles are giving tonight's start to right-hander Luis Ortiz, who's been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to face the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards.

Reliever Evan Phillips has been optioned to Norfolk in the corresponding roster move.

Phillips, who was recalled Saturday, worked two-thirds of an inning last night and surrendered one run and three hits in a 12-3 loss to the Blue Jays. He also allowed an inherited runner to score and has a 7.71 ERA.

Ortiz is replacing Andrew Cashner, who's been scratched from tonight's assignment with a blister on his right middle finger. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated last night that Cashner might need only a couple of extra days and should avoid the injured list.

This is Ortiz's second stint with the Orioles, though he was recalled and optioned on April 28 without appearing in the game.

Ortiz was slated to start tonight for Norfolk and hasn't pitched since last Friday. He's 2-6 with a 7.01 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 11 outings over 52 2/3 innings.

Hyde would have gone with a bullpen game tonight except his usage last night prohibited it. Dylan Bundy could have been moved up to face the Red Sox, but he threw a heavy side session on Wednesday and Hyde didn't want to push him.

Dan Straily was an option after throwing 31 pitches in relief Wednesday night, his first appearance since June 2.

The Orioles don't want to rush Keegan Akin and he pitched 1 1/3 innings yesterday in relief of Tom Eshelman.

Josh Rogers hasn't pitched since Saturday and would have been available tonight on extra rest.

The bullpen is short a reliever tonight and Josh Lucas won't be available after working the final three innings last night. Paul Fry threw 33 pitches while retiring only one batter.

The Orioles acquired Ortiz, infielder Jonathan Villar and minor league infielder Jean Carmona from the Brewers on July 31 for second baseman Jonathan Schoop. Ortiz appeared in two games and allowed four earned runs (six total) and seven hits with three walks in 2 1/3 innings.

Ortiz made his major league debut on Sept. 7 at Tropicana Field and allowed three runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning. His first start came against the White Sox on Sept. 14 at Camden Yards, where he lasted only 1 2/3 innings before injuring his hamstring.

Given a chance to win a roster spot in spring training, Ortiz arrived in much better shape but allowed eight runs and 10 hits over five innings and was optioned to Norfolk.

The Red Sox are starting left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who's averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings. He faced the Orioles on April 12 in Boston and gave up two runs and three hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. Dwight Smith Jr. homered, but he remains on the concussion injured list.

Trey Mancini is 7-for-23 (.304) with two doubles and a home run against Rodriguez. Chris Davis is 5-for-27 (.185) with a home run and 14 strikeouts.

Davis could be missing again from the lineup the next two nights with Boston starting left-hander Chris Sale on Saturday.