Weeks optioned, Wieters on bench (with lineups)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 07, 2014, 12:22pm

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have purchased the contract of catcher Caleb Joseph from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Jemile Weeks.

Joseph, 28, will make his major league debut tonight against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He's starting behind the plate, batting ninth and wearing No. 36.

Joseph, who arrived in Tampa around 1:30 p.m., is batting .261/.284/.402 in 22 games for the Tides. He hit .299/.346/.494 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs for Double-A Bowie in 2013 and was named Topps Minor League Player of the Year for the Eastern League, as well as an EL All-Star for both the mid-season and season-ending squads.

The Orioles selected Joseph in the seventh round selection in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Lipscomb University.

Weeks, 27, was 3-for-11 in three games with the Orioles after being recalled from Norfolk on April 26.

Matt Wieters isn't expected at the ballpark until around 5:30 p.m. He's listed among the reserves.

The Orioles' 40-man roster is now full.

For the Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Manny Machado 3B
Nelson Cruz LF
Adam Jones CF
J.J. Hardy SS
Delmon Young DH
Steve Pearce 1B
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Caleb Joseph C

Bud Norris RHP

For the Rays
Ben Zobrist 2B
Desmond Jennings CF
Matt Joyce LF
Evan Longoria 3B
James Loney 1B
Wil Myers RF
David DeJesus DH
Yunel Escobar SS
Ryan Hanigan C

Cesar Ramos RHP