masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgInfielder Steve Tolleson has refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected to become a free agent.

The Orioles designated Tolleson on Friday to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

Tolleson, 29, batted .183/.227/.310 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in 29 games over four stints with the Orioles in 2012. He hit a game-tying three-run homer off the Phillies’ Cliff Lee on June 10 at Camden Yards.

Tolleson played second base, shortstop, third base and left field for…Infielder Steve Tolleson has refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected to become a free agent.

The Orioles designated Tolleson on Friday to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

Tolleson, 29, batted .183/.227/.310 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in 29 games over four stints with the Orioles in 2012. He hit a game-tying three-run homer off the Phillies’ Cliff Lee on June 10 at Camden Yards.

Tolleson played second base, shortstop, third base and left field for the Orioles. He batted .278/.358/.346 with eight doubles, one homer and 21 RBIs in 50 games at Norfolk when he wasn’t riding the shuttle to the majors.

The Orioles are attempting to re-sign Tolleson to a minor league deal, but he will explore other opportunities before making a decision.

Left-hander Zach Phillips, designated for assignment on Friday, also became a free agent.