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There is a Joseph on the Orioles once again. It’s just not the one you assumed would be on the team when the season began. On Friday afternoon, the Orioles called up Corban Joseph, brother of Caleb, as part of a series of roster moves that were spurred by the injury to Richard Bleier.
The full set of moves:
- Richard Bleier to the 10-day disabled list with a left lat strain
- Yefry Ramirez optioned to Triple-A Norfolk
- Joseph’s contract purchased from Double-A Bowie
- Tanner Scott recalled from Norfolk
- D.J. Snelten designated for assignment
Snelten had been claimed on waivers from the Giants somewhat recently. The Orioles had to DFA someone to make room on the roster for Joseph. Ramirez isn’t needed due to the off day yesterday and another off day Monday, so the O’s are taking advantage for at least a few days with an extra bench bat. If things go as they hope with Andrew Cashner, he may return from the disabled list in time for the next start on his turn.
Corban Joseph is the younger of the Joseph brothers. He was drafted by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2008 draft, out of high school. Joseph worked his way up through that system and got exactly one shot: Both games of a doubleheader in 2013.
Since then, Joseph has played in the upper minors, going from the Yankees to the Orioles to the Braves to the Orioles again to the Nationals and finally back to the Orioles, where he is getting another big league chance, five years later.
The 29-year-old lefty batter has played mostly second base in his long minor league career, with a pinch of third base and a pinch of first base. I don’t know how long the Orioles imagine keeping him around or how they intend to use him for as long as he’s here, but it’s a cool story. It’s too bad that Caleb Joseph’s performance has him in the minor leagues. Brothers on the same bad team would certainly echo 1988.
Corban Joseph has batted .336/.394/.550 in 59 games for the Baysox this season. You would expect a 29-year-old to be destroying Double-A competition, but still, good for him. He’s earned a shot, especially considering the miserable state of the Orioles offense at present. It’d be hard to hit worse than Jace Peterson or Chris Davis.