Orioles recall Phillips and Hart

The Orioles have beefed up their bullpen while trying to piece together a rotation that's become heavy in rookies.

Right-hander Evan Phillips and left-hander Donnie Hart have been recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk to bring the active roster to 35 players. The pitching staff has grown to 18.

Manager Buck Showalter has saved rookies Josh Rogers and David Hess to back up rookies Luis Ortiz and Yefry Ramírez, who are starting the first two games of the series against the White Sox at Camden Yards.

Left-hander Sean Gilmartin was needed to cover three innings Wednesday night, when Andrew Cashner left in the third without recording an out, and Ryan Meisinger followed with two innings.

Phillips was part of the return in the trade that sent pitchers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day to the Braves. He made four appearances with the Orioles and allowed eight earned runs (10 total) and four hits with six walks in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs and struck out 13 batters in 10 2/3 innings.

Hart has been recalled for the ninth time this season. In 15 appearances he's surrendered nine earned (10 totals) and 24 hits in 14 innings. He's also walked eight batters and left-handers are batting .324 against him. Right-handers have posted a .429 average.

The results were much different down at Norfolk, where Hart had a 2.41 ERA and 1.268 WHIP in 32 games spanning 41 innings.

Showalter mentioned that a few pitchers have continued to throw in order to stay ready if needed. He didn't want to bring up anyone who's been idle for the past few weeks.

Ortiz is making his first major league start and second appearance tonight.

Ortiz celebrates his 23rd birthday later this month. The White Sox are countering tonight with James Shields, who turns 37 in December.

Shields is 6-16 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.313 WHIP in 31 games this season, his loss total leading the majors. He held the Orioles to two runs over seven innings on May 22.

In two starts this month, Shields has shut out the Red Sox over six innings and allowed six runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Angels.

Shields is 11-8 with a 3.85 ERA and 1.240 WHIP In 28 career starts against the Orioles and 7-2 with a 3.81 ERA and 1.191 WHIP in 13 starts at Camden Yards.

Chris Davis has a double and three home runs in 19 career at-bats against Shields. Jace Peterson is 4-for-11 with a double and home run. Jonathan Villar is 3-for-7 with a home run.

In case you missed it earlier, the Orioles have named outfielder Cedric Mullins as their minor league Player of the Year and Keegan Akin and Zac Lowther as their co-Pitchers of the Year.