The Orioles have outrighted lefty Zach Phillips, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports on Twitter. He’s already cleared waivers and will be assigned to Triple-A along with Chaz Roe.
Baltimore signed Phillips to the 40-man about a week ago, after electing free agency rather than accepting an assignment with the White Sox. It seemed that he’d have at least a chance of making the Opening Day roster. but instead the O’s will stash him in the upper minors.
The 29-year-old may have added incentives to accept an assignment with the O’s, as his contract may be more beneficial than anything he’d fine from another organization. But it’s not immediately clear if Phillips has accepted the move.
Phillips hasn’t spent much time in the majors, but was added to bolster a Baltimore pen that was in need of depth. He threw 54 2/3 innings at Triple-A last year, working to a 3.13 ERA with 10.5 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9.
Well hopefully he sticks with us. I doubt it will be long before he is called up.
Year after year of not addressing their yearly need to spend some money on starting pitchers! I don’t get it! By June they’ll be in last place! Spend some money Peter!!!!!
They spent almost $300 M this offseason. With the SP market, that would only get you 1 guy.
I think maybe the thinking is a deep bullpen is the better answer. 5ip from the starters, then just bring in one reliever after another. This guy will stay in AAA because he knows the Norfolk express will be calling his name.