Orioles trade Gonzalez to Rangers for player to be named later; recall Zach Phillips

The Orioles today announced that they have traded left-handed pitcher Michael Gonzalez to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later. The club has also recalled left-handed pitcher Zach Phillips from Triple-A Norfolk. Gonzalez, 33, went 2-2 with one save and a 4.27 ERA (46.1 IP, 22 ER) in 49 appearances for the Orioles this season. He has not allowed a run in his last 13 appearances, surrendering five hits and one walk with 15 strikeouts over 12.1 innings. Gonzalez went 1-3 with one save and a 4.01 ERA (24.2 IP, 11 ER) in 29 games in his first season with the Orioles in 2010. Phillips, 24, was acquired on July 19 from Texas in exchange for minor league infielder Nick Green and cash considerations. He went 1-1 with one save and a 2.63 ERA (13.2 IP, 4 ER) in 14 games for the Tides after beginning the season with Triple-A Round Rock. Phillips entered 2011 with a career minor league record of 30-36 with a 4.08 ERA (637.1 IP, 289 ER) and 615 strikeouts in 180 games (98 starts) in the Texas organization. Additionally, the Orioles announced that left-handed pitcher Mark Hendrickson has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, left-handed pitcher Mike Ballard has been outrighted to Double-A Bowie and right-handed pitcher Mitch Atkins has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Hendrickson, 37, has appeared in eight games for the Orioles this season, going 1-0 with a 5.73 ERA (11.0 IP, 7 ER). Ballard, 27, is 7-3 with a 3.56 ERA (101.0 IP, 40 ER) in 16 games (15 starts) for the Baysox. Atkins, 25, has pitched for Single-A Frederick, Double-A Bowie, Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles this season following an oblique injury in spring training. He is 3-7 with a 5.20 ERA (88.1 IP, 51 ER) in 16 starts for the Tides.