Caleb Joseph rejoining Orioles with Chance Sisco optioned

Catcher Caleb Joseph is returning to the Orioles and will join them for Tuesday night's series opener against the Nationals in D.C.

The Orioles optioned rookie Chance Sisco following today's 10-4 win over the Marlins at Camden Yards. He was a late scratch from the lineup.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated that Sisco was ill, but he stopped short of using the word.

"I'm afraid he's coming down with ... He hasn't slept in two or three days," Showalter said. "A lot of our guys. And just talking to him before the game, his energy level. He was ready to go, just didn't think it was in his best interest, with the off-day tomorrow. But we'll see.

"A lot of factors. That was the principal one. He just hadn't slept any. Hard enough to play this game when you have."

Sisco was batting .218/.340/.328 in 47 games since breaking camp with the team. He threw out nine of the first 18 runners trying to steal against him, but has been successful on only one of his last 18 attempts.

The demotion could provide a mental break for Sisco, who's looked uncomfortable on some throws back to the mound. He turned 23 in February and is still maturing as a player and developing his skill set behind the plate.

Sisco's on-base percentage ranks third on the team - he's been hit 10 times - but he has one extra-base hit since May 19.

Joseph went 2-for-3 today with a walk and RBI at Norfolk to raise his average to .273 before coming out for a pinch-runner. He also threw out a runner trying to steal, making him 6-for-12 with the Tides.

The Orioles optioned Joseph on May 17 after he batted .182/.203/.325 in 24 games and threw out only 4 of 19 runners. He also committed four errors and had two passed balls.

The corresponding move for Sisco hasn't been announced, but Joseph will be reunited with younger brother Corban Joseph, who had his contract selected from Double-A Bowie on Friday. Corban started at first base again today and led off.

Corban spent the 2017 season in the Nationals organization with Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. He'll finally make it to D.C. on Tuesday if he stays on the 25-man roster.

The Orioles currently have a five-man bench.